Inbred maize variety PHEKN

ABSTRACT

A novel inbred maize variety designated PHEKN and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing inbred maize variety PHEKN with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHEKN through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the inbred variety PHEKN or a trait conversion of PHEKN with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from inbred maize variety PHEKN, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from inbred maize variety PHEKN and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of maize breeding,specifically relating to an inbred maize variety designated PHEKN.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of plant breeding is to combine, in a single variety or hybrid,various desirable traits. For field crops, these traits may includeresistance to diseases and insects, resistance to heat and drought,reducing the time to crop maturity, greater yield, and better agronomicquality. With mechanical harvesting of many crops, uniformity of plantcharacteristics such as germination, stand establishment, growth rate,maturity, plant height and ear height, is important. Traditional plantbreeding is an important tool in developing new and improved commercialcrops.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a novel inbred maizevariety, designated PHEKN and processes for making PHEKN. This inventionrelates to seed of inbred maize variety PHEKN, to the plants of inbredmaize variety PHEKN, to plant parts of inbred maize variety PHEKN, andto processes for making a maize plant that comprise crossing inbredmaize variety PHEKN with another maize plant. This invention alsorelates to processes for making a maize plant containing in its geneticmaterial one or more traits introgressed into PHEKN through backcrossconversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plantpart produced by such introgression. This invention further relates to ahybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the inbredvariety PHEKN or an introgressed trait conversion of PHEKN with anothermaize variety. This invention also relates to inbred maize varietiesderived from inbred maize variety PHEKN to processes for making otherinbred maize varieties derived from inbred maize variety PHEKN and tothe inbred maize varieties and their parts produced by the use of thoseprocesses.

DEFINITIONS

INBRED Definitions

Certain definitions used in the specification are provided below. Alsoin the examples that follow, a number of terms are used herein. In orderto provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specification andclaims, including the scope to be given such terms, the followingdefinitions are provided. NOTE: ABS is in absolute terms and % MN ispercent of the mean for the experiments in which the inbred or hybridwas grown. PCT designates that the trait is calculated as a percentage.% NOT designates the percentage of plants that did not exhibit a trait.For example, STKLDG % NOT is the percentage of plants in a plot thatwere not stalk lodged. These designators will follow the descriptors todenote how the values are to be interpreted. Below are the descriptorsused in the data tables included herein.

ABIOTIC STRESS TOLERANCE: resistance to non-biological sources of stressconferred by traits such as nitrogen utilization efficiency, alterednitrogen responsiveness, drought resistance cold, and salt resistance

ABTSTK=ARTIFICIAL BRITTLE STALK. A count of the number of “snapped”plants per plot following machine snapping. A snapped plant has itsstalk completely snapped at a node between the base of the plant and thenode above the ear. Expressed as percent of plants that did not snap.

ALLELE. Any of one or more alternative forms of a genetic sequence. In adiploid cell or organism, the two alleles of a given sequence typicallyoccupy corresponding loci on a pair of homologous chromosomes.

ALTER. The utilization of up-regulation, down-regulation, or genesilencing.

ANTHESIS. The time of a flower's opening.

ANTIOXIDANT. A chemical compound or substance that inhibits oxidation,including but not limited to tocopherol or tocotrienols.

ANT ROT=ANTHRACNOSE STALK ROT (Colletotrichum graminicola). A 1 to 9visual rating indicating the resistance to Anthracnose Stalk Rot. Ahigher score indicates a higher resistance. Data are collected only whensufficient selection pressure exists in the experiment measured.

BACKCROSSING. Process in which a breeder crosses a hybrid progenyvariety back to one of the parental genotypes one or more times.

BACKCROSS PROGENY. Progeny plants produced by crossing PHEKN plant partswith plant parts of another maize line that comprise a desired trait orlocus, selecting F1 progeny plants that comprise the desired trait orlocus, and crossing the selected F1 progeny plants with the PHEKN plants1 or more times to produce backcross progeny plants that comprise saidtrait or locus.

BARPLT=BARREN PLANTS. The percent of plants per plot that were notbarren (lack ears).

BORBMN=ARTIFICIAL BRITTLE STALK MEAN. The mean percent of plants not“snapped” in a plot following artificial selection pressure. A snappedplant has its stalk completely snapped at a node between the base of theplant and the node above the ear. Expressed as percent of plants thatdid not snap. A high number is good and indicates tolerance to brittlesnapping.

BRENGMN=BRITTLE STALK ENERGY MEAN. The mean amount of energy per unitarea needed to artificially brittle snap a corn stalk. A high number isgood and indicates tolerance to brittle snapping.

BREEDING. The genetic manipulation of living organisms.

BREEDING CROSS. A cross to introduce new genetic material into a plantfor the development of a new variety. For example, one could cross plantA with plant B, wherein plant B would be genetically different fromplant A. After the breeding cross, the resulting F1 plants could then beselfed or sibbed for one, two, three or more times (F1, F2, F3, etc.)until a new inbred variety is developed. For clarification, such newinbred varieties would be within a pedigree distance of one breedingcross of plants A and B. The process described above would be referredto as one breeding cycle.

BRLPNE=ARTIFICIAL ROOT LODGING EARLY SEASON. The percent of plants notroot lodged in a plot following artificial selection pressure appliedprior to flowering. A plant is considered root lodged if it leans fromthe vertical axis at an approximately 30 degree angle or greater.Expressed as percent of plants that did not root lodge. A high number isgood and indicates tolerance to root lodging.

BRLPNL=ARTIFICIAL ROOT LODGING LATE SEASON. The percent of plants notroot lodged in a plot following artificial selection pressure duringgrain fill. A plant is considered root lodged if it leans from thevertical axis at an approximately 30 degree angle or greater. Expressedas percent of plants that did not root lodge. A high number is good andindicates tolerance to root lodging.

BRTSTK=BRITTLE STALKS. This is a measure of the stalk breakage near thetime of pollination, and is an indication of whether a hybrid or inbredwould snap or break near the time of flowering under severe winds. Dataare presented as percentage of plants that did not snap. Data arecollected only when sufficient selection pressure exists in theexperiment measured.

CARBOHYDRATE. Organic compounds comprising carbon, oxygen and hydrogen,including sugars, starches and cellulose.

CELL. Cell as used herein includes a plant cell, whether isolated, intissue culture or incorporated in a plant or plant part.

CLDTST=COLD TEST. The percent of plants that germinate under cold testconditions.

CLN=CORN LETHAL NECROSIS. Synergistic interaction of maize chloroticmottle virus (MCMV) in combination with either maize dwarf mosaic virus(MDMV-A or MDMV-B) or wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV). A 1 to 9 visualrating indicating the resistance to Corn Lethal Necrosis. A higher scoreindicates a higher resistance. Data are collected only when sufficientselection pressure exists in the experiment measured.

COMRST=COMMON RUST (Puccinia sorghi). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicatingthe resistance to Common Rust. A higher score indicates a higherresistance. Data are collected only when sufficient selection pressureexists in the experiment measured.

CROSS POLLINATION. A plant is cross pollinated if the pollen comes froma flower on a different plant from a different family or variety. Crosspollination excludes sib and self pollination.

CROSSING. The combination of genetic material by traditional methodssuch as a breeding cross or backcross, but also including protoplastfusion and other molecular biology methods of combining genetic materialfrom two sources.

D/D=DRYDOWN. This represents the relative rate at which a hybrid willreach acceptable harvest moisture compared to other hybrids on a 1 to 9rating scale. A high score indicates a hybrid that dries relatively fastwhile a low score indicates a hybrid that dries slowly.

DIPERS=DIPLODIA EAR MOLD SCORES (Diplodia maydis and Diplodiamacrospora). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance toDiplodia Ear Mold. A higher score indicates a higher resistance. Dataare collected only when sufficient selection pressure exists in theexperiment measured.

DIPLOID PLANT PART. Refers to a plant part or cell that has the samediploid genotype as PHEKN.

DIPROT=DIPLODIA STALK ROT SCORE. Score of stalk rot severity due toDiplodia (Diplodia maydis). Expressed as a 1 to 9 score with 9 beinghighly resistant. Data are collected only when sufficient selectionpressure exists in the experiment measured.

DRPEAR=DROPPED EARS. A measure of the number of dropped ears per plotand represents the percentage of plants that did not drop ears prior toharvest. Data are collected only when sufficient selection pressureexists in the experiment measured.

D/T=DROUGHT TOLERANCE. This represents a 1 to 9 rating for droughttolerance, and is based on data obtained under stress conditions. A highscore indicates good drought tolerance and a low score indicates poordrought tolerance. Data are collected only when sufficient selectionpressure exists in the experiment measured.

EARHT=EAR HEIGHT. The ear height is a measure from the ground to thehighest placed developed ear node attachment and is measured incentimeters.

EARMLD=GENERAL EAR MOLD. Visual rating (1 to 9 score) where a 1 is verysusceptible and a 9 is very resistant. This is based on overall ratingfor ear mold of mature ears without determining the specific moldorganism, and may not be predictive for a specific ear mold. Data arecollected only when sufficient selection pressure exists in theexperiment measured.

EARSZ=EAR SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating of ear size. The higher therating the larger the ear size.

EBTSTK=EARLY BRITTLE STALK. A count of the number of “snapped” plantsper plot following severe winds when the corn plant is experiencing veryrapid vegetative growth in the V5-V8 stage. Expressed as percent ofplants that did not snap. Data are collected only when sufficientselection pressure exists in the experiment measured.

ECB1LF=EUROPEAN CORN BORER FIRST GENERATION LEAF FEEDING (Ostrinianubilalis). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance topreflowering leaf feeding by first generation European Corn Borer. Ahigher score indicates a higher resistance. Data are collected only whensufficient selection pressure exists in the experiment measured.

ECB2IT=EUROPEAN CORN BORER SECOND GENERATION INCHES OF TUNNELING(Ostrinia nubilalis). Average inches of tunneling per plant in thestalk. Data are collected only when sufficient selection pressure existsin the experiment measured.

ECB2SC=EUROPEAN CORN BORER SECOND GENERATION (Ostrinia nubilalis). A 1to 9 visual rating indicating post flowering degree of stalk breakageand other evidence of feeding by second generation European Corn Borer.A higher score indicates a higher resistance. Data are collected onlywhen sufficient selection pressure exists in the experiment measured.

ECBDPE=EUROPEAN CORN BORER DROPPED EARS (Ostrinia nubilalis). Droppedears due to European Corn Borer. Percentage of plants that did not dropears under second generation European Corn Borer infestation. Data arecollected only when sufficient selection pressure exists in theexperiment measured.

ECBLSI=EUROPEAN CORN BORER LATE SEASON INTACT (Ostrinia nubilalis). A 1to 9 visual rating indicating late season intactness of the corn plantgiven damage (stalk breakage above and below the top ear) causedprimarily by 2^(nd) and/or 3^(rd) generation ECB larval feeding beforeharvest. A higher score is good and indicates more intact plants. Dataare collected only when sufficient selection pressure exists in theexperiment measured.

EGRWTH=EARLY GROWTH. This is a measure of the relative height and sizeof a corn seedling at the 2-4 leaf stage of growth. This is a visualrating (1 to 9), with 1 being weak or slow growth, 5 being averagegrowth and 9 being strong growth. Taller plants, wider leaves, moregreen mass and darker color constitute higher score. Data are collectedonly when sufficient selection pressure exists in the experimentmeasured.

ELITE INBRED. An inbred that contributed desirable qualities when usedto produce commercial hybrids. An elite inbred may also be used infurther breeding for the purpose of developing further improvedvarieties.

ERTLDG=EARLY ROOT LODGING. The percentage of plants that do not rootlodge prior to or around anthesis; plants that lean from the verticalaxis at an approximately 30 degree angle or greater would be counted asroot lodged. Data are collected only when sufficient selection pressureexists in the experiment measured.

ERTLPN=EARLY ROOT LODGING. An estimate of the percentage of plants thatdo not root lodge prior to or around anthesis; plants that lean from thevertical axis at an approximately 30 degree angle or greater would beconsidered as root lodged. Data are collected only when sufficientselection pressure exists in the experiment measured.

ERTLSC=EARLY ROOT LODGING SCORE. Score for severity of plants that leanfrom a vertical axis at an approximate 30 degree angle or greater whichtypically results from strong winds prior to or around floweringrecorded within 2 weeks of a wind event. Expressed as a 1 to 9 scorewith 9 being no lodging. Data are collected only when sufficientselection pressure exists in the experiment measured.

ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS. Amino acids that cannot be synthesized de novo byan organism and therefore must be supplied in the diet.

ESTCNT=EARLY STAND COUNT. This is a measure of the stand establishmentin the spring and represents the number of plants that emerge on perplot basis for the inbred or hybrid.

EYESPT=EYE SPOT (Kabatiella zeae or Aureobasidium zeae). A 1 to 9 visualrating indicating the resistance to Eye Spot. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance. Data are collected only when sufficient selectionpressure exists in the experiment measured.

EXPRESSING. Having the genetic potential such that under the rightconditions, the phenotypic trait is present.

FATTY ACID. A carboxylic acid (or organic acid), often with a longaliphatic tail (long chains), either saturated or unsaturated.

F1 PROGENY. Progeny plants produced by crossing plant parts of maizevariety PHEKN with plant parts of another maize line.

FUSERS=FUSARIUM EAR ROT SCORE (Fusarium moniliforme or Fusariumsubglutinans). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance toFusarium Ear Rot. A higher score indicates a higher resistance. Data arecollected only when sufficient selection pressure exists in theexperiment measured.

GDU=GROWING DEGREE UNITS. Using the Barger Heat Unit Theory, whichassumes that maize growth occurs in the temperature range 50 degreesF.-86 degrees F. and that temperatures outside this range slow downgrowth; the maximum daily heat unit accumulation is 36 and the minimumdaily heat unit accumulation is 0. The seasonal accumulation of GDU is amajor factor in determining maturity zones.

GDUSHD=GDU TO SHED. The number of growing degree units (GDUs) or heatunits required for an inbred variety or hybrid to have approximately 50percent of the plants shedding pollen and is measured from the time ofplanting. Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger Method,where the heat units for a 24-hour period are:

${GDU} = {\frac{\left( {{Max}.\mspace{14mu}{temp}.{+ {{Min}.\mspace{14mu}{temp}.}}} \right)}{2} - 50}$

The highest maximum temperature used is 86 degrees F. and the lowestminimum temperature used is 50 degrees F. For each inbred or hybrid ittakes a certain number of GDUs to reach various stages of plantdevelopment.

GDUSLK=GDU TO SILK. The number of growing degree units required for aninbred variety or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plantswith silk emergence from time of planting. Growing degree units arecalculated by the Barger Method as given in GDU SHD definition.

GENE SILENCING. The interruption or suppression of the expression of agene at the level of transcription or translation.

GENOTYPE. Refers to the genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

GIBERS=GIBBERELLA EAR ROT (PINK MOLD) (Gibberella zeae). A 1 to 9 visualrating indicating the resistance to Gibberella Ear Rot. A higher scoreindicates a higher resistance. Data are collected only when sufficientselection pressure exists in the experiment measured.

GIBROT=GIBBERELLA STALK ROT SCORE. Score of stalk rot severity due toGibberella (Gibberella zeae). Expressed as a 1 to 9 score with 9 beinghighly resistant. Data are collected only when sufficient selectionpressure exists in the experiment measured.

GLFSPT=GRAY LEAF SPOT (Cercospora zeae-maydis). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Gray Leaf Spot. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance. Data are collected only when sufficient selectionpressure exists in the experiment measured.

GOSWLT=GOSS' WILT (Corynebacterium nebraskense). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Goss' Wilt. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance. Data are collected only when sufficient selectionpressure exists in the experiment measured.

GRNAPP=GRAIN APPEARANCE. This is a 1 to 9 rating for the generalappearance of the shelled grain as it is harvested based on such factorsas the color of harvested grain, any mold on the grain, and any crackedgrain. High scores indicate good grain visual quality.

HAPLOID PLANT PART. Refers to a plant part or cell that has the samehaploid genotype as PHEKN.

HCBLT=HELMINTHOSPORIUM CARBONUM LEAF BLIGHT (Helminthosporium carbonum).A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to Helminthosporiuminfection. A higher score indicates a higher resistance. Data arecollected only when sufficient selection pressure exists in theexperiment measured.

HD SMT=HEAD SMUT (Sphacelotheca reiliana). This score indicates thepercentage of plants not infected. Data are collected only whensufficient selection pressure exists in the experiment measured.

HSKCVR=HUSK COVER. A 1 to 9 score based on performance relative to keychecks, with a score of 1 indicating very short husks, tip of ear andkernels showing; 5 is intermediate coverage of the ear under mostconditions, sometimes with thin husk; and a 9 has husks extending andclosed beyond the tip of the ear. Scoring can best be done nearphysiological maturity stage or any time during dry down untilharvested.

INBRED. A variety developed through inbreeding or doubled haploidy thatpreferably comprises homozygous alleles at about 95% or more of itsloci.

INC D/A=GROSS INCOME (DOLLARS PER ACRE). Relative income per acreassuming drying costs of two cents per point above 15.5 percent harvestmoisture and current market price per bushel.

INCOME/ACRE. Income advantage of hybrid to be patented over other hybridon per acre basis.

INC ADV=GROSS INCOME ADVANTAGE. Gross income advantage of variety #1over variety #2.

INTROGRESSION. The process of transferring genetic material from onegenotype to another.

KERUNT=KERNELS PER UNIT AREA (Acres or Hectares).

KERPOP=KERNEL POP SCORE. The visual 1-9 rating of the amount ofrupturing of the kernel pericarp at an early stage in grain fill. Ahigher score is good and indicates no popped (ruptured) kernels.

KER_WT=KERNEL NUMBER PER UNIT WEIGHT (Pounds or Kilograms). The numberof kernels in a specific measured weight; determined after removal ofextremely small and large kernels.

KSZDCD=KERNEL SIZE DISCARD. The percent of discard seed; calculated asthe sum of discarded tip kernels and extra large kernels.

LINKAGE. Refers to a phenomenon wherein alleles on the same chromosometend to segregate together more often than expected by chance if theirtransmission was independent.

LINKAGE DISEQUILIBRIUM. Refers to a phenomenon wherein alleles tend toremain together in linkage groups when segregating from parents tooffspring, with a greater frequency than expected from their individualfrequencies.

LOCUS. A specific location on a chromosome.

LOCUS CONVERSION. A locus conversion refers to plants within a varietythat have been modified in a manner that retains the overall genetics ofthe variety and further comprises one or more loci with a specificdesired trait, such as insect, disease or herbicide resistance.

L/POP=YIELD AT LOW DENSITY. Yield ability at relatively low plantdensities on a 1 to 9 relative system with a higher number indicatingthe hybrid responds well to low plant densities for yield relative toother hybrids. A 1, 5, and 9 would represent very poor, average, andvery good yield response, respectively, to low plant density.

LRTLDG=LATE ROOT LODGING. The percentage of plants that do not rootlodge after anthesis through harvest; plants that lean from the verticalaxis at an approximately 30 degree angle or greater would be counted asroot lodged. Data are collected only when sufficient selection pressureexists in the experiment measured.

LRTLPN=LATE ROOT LODGING. An estimate of the percentage of plants thatdo not root lodge after anthesis through harvest; plants that lean fromthe vertical axis at an approximately 30 degree angle or greater wouldbe considered as root lodged. Data are collected only when sufficientselection pressure exists in the experiment measured.

LRTLSC=LATE ROOT LODGING SCORE. Score for severity of plants that leanfrom a vertical axis at an approximate 30 degree angle or greater whichtypically results from strong winds after flowering. Recorded prior toharvest when a root-lodging event has occurred. This lodging results inplants that are leaned or “lodged” over at the base of the plant and donot straighten or “goose-neck” back to a vertical position. Expressed asa 1 to 9 score with 9 being no lodging. Data are collected only whensufficient selection pressure exists in the experiment measured.

MALE STERILITY. A male sterile plant is one which produces no viablepollen. Male sterility prevents self pollination and the pollination ofneighboring plants. These male sterile plants are therefore useful inhybrid plant production.

MDMCPX=MAIZE DWARF MOSAIC COMPLEX (MDMV=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus andMCDV=Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating theresistance to Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance. Data are collected only when sufficient selectionpressure exists in the experiment measured.

MST=HARVEST MOISTURE. The moisture is the actual percentage moisture ofthe grain at harvest.

MSTADV=MOISTURE ADVANTAGE. The moisture advantage of variety #1 overvariety #2 as calculated by: MOISTURE of variety #2—MOISTURE of variety#1=MOISTURE ADVANTAGE of variety #1.

NEI DISTANCE. A quantitative measure of percent similarity between twovarieties. Nei's distance between varieties A and B can be defined as1−(2*number alleles in common/(number alleles in A+number alleles in B).For example, if varieties A and B are the same for 95 out of 100alleles, the Nei distance would be 0.05. If varieties A and B are thesame for 98 out of 100 alleles, the Nei distance would be 0.02. Freesoftware for calculating Nei distance is available on the internet atmultiple locations such as, for example, at:evolution.genetics.washington.edu/phylip.html. See Nei, Proc Natl AcadSci, 76:5269-5273 (1979) which is incorporated by reference for thispurpose.

NLFBLT=NORTHERN LEAF BLIGHT (Helminthosporium turcicum or Exserohilumturcicum). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to NorthernLeaf Blight. A higher score indicates a higher resistance. Data arecollected only when sufficient selection pressure exists in theexperiment measured.

OILT=GRAIN OIL. Absolute value of oil content of the kernel as predictedby Near-infrared Transmittance and expressed as a percent of dry matter.

PEDIGREE DISTANCE. Relationship among generations based on theirancestral links as evidenced in pedigrees. May be measured by thedistance of the pedigree from a given starting point in the ancestry.

PERCENT IDENTITY. Percent identity as used herein refers to thecomparison of the homozygous alleles of two inbred varieties. Eachinbred plant will have the same allele (and therefore be homozygous) atalmost all of their loci. Percent identity is determined by comparing astatistically significant number of the homozygous alleles of two inbredvarieties. For example, a percent identity of 90% between inbred PH8JVand other inbred variety means that the two inbred varieties have thesame homozygous alleles at 90% of their loci.

PERCENT SIMILARITY. Percent similarity as used herein refers to thecomparison of the homozygous alleles of an inbred plant with anotherplant. The homozygous alleles of PHEKN are compared with the alleles ofa non-inbred plant, such as a hybrid, and if the allele of the inbredmatches at least one of the corresponding alleles from the hybrid thenthey are scored as similar. Percent similarity is determined bycomparing a statistically significant number of loci and recording thenumber of loci with similar alleles as a percentage. For example, apercent similarity of 90% between inbred PHEKN and a hybrid maize plantmeans that the inbred variety matches at least one of the hybrid allelesat 90% of the loci. In the case of a hybrid produced from PHEKN as themale or female parent, such hybrid will comprise two sets of alleles,one set of which will comprise substantially the same alleles as thehomozygous alleles of inbred variety PHEKN.

PLANT. As used herein, the term “plant” includes reference to animmature or mature whole plant, including a plant that has beendetasseled or from which seed or grain has been removed. Seed or embryothat will produce the plant is also considered to be the plant.

PLANT PARTS. As used herein, the term “plant parts” includes leaves,stems, roots, seed, grain, embryo, pollen, ovules, flowers, ears, cobs,husks, stalks, root tips, anthers, pericarp, silk, tissue, cells and thelike.

PLTHT=PLANT HEIGHT. This is a measure of the height of the plant fromthe ground to the tip of the tassel in centimeters.

POLPRD=POLLEN PRODUCTION SCORE. The estimated total amount of pollenproduced by tassels based on the number of tassel branches and thedensity of the spikelets.

POLSC=POLLEN SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount ofpollen shed. The higher the score the more pollen shed.

POLWT=POLLEN WEIGHT. This is calculated by dry weight of tasselscollected as shedding commences minus dry weight from similar tasselsharvested after shedding is complete.

POP K/A=PLANT POPULATIONS. Measured as 1000's per acre.

POP ADV=PLANT POPULATION ADVANTAGE. The plant population advantage ofvariety #1 over variety #2 as calculated by PLANT POPULATION of variety#2—PLANT POPULATION of variety #1=PLANT POPULATION ADVANTAGE of variety#1.

PRM=PREDICTED RELATIVE MATURITY. This trait, predicted relativematurity, is based on the harvest moisture of the grain. The relativematurity rating is based on a known set of checks and utilizes standardlinear regression analyses and is also referred to as the ComparativeRelative Maturity Rating System that is similar to the MinnesotaRelative Maturity Rating System.

PRMSHD=A relative measure of the growing degree units (GDU) required toreach 50% pollen shed. Relative values are predicted values from thelinear regression of observed GDU's on relative maturity of commercialchecks.

PROT=GRAIN PROTEIN. Absolute value of protein content of the kernel aspredicted by Near-infrared Transmittance and expressed as a percent ofdry matter.

RESISTANCE. Synonymous with tolerance. The ability of a plant towithstand exposure to an insect, disease, herbicide or other condition.A resistant plant variety will have a level of resistance higher than acomparable wild-type variety.

RTLDG=ROOT LODGING. Root lodging is the percentage of plants that do notroot lodge; plants that lean from the vertical axis at an approximately30 degree angle or greater would be counted as root lodged. Data arecollected only when sufficient selection pressure exists in theexperiment measured.

RTLADV=ROOT LODGING ADVANTAGE. The root lodging advantage of variety #1over variety #2. Data are collected only when sufficient selectionpressure exists in the experiment measured.

SCTGRN=SCATTER GRAIN. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount ofscatter grain (lack of pollination or kernel abortion) on the ear. Thehigher the score the less scatter grain.

SDGVGR=SEEDLING VIGOR. This is the visual rating (1 to 9) of the amountof vegetative growth after emergence at the seedling stage(approximately five leaves). A higher score indicates better vigor.

SEED. Fertilized and ripened ovule, consisting of the plant embryo,varying amounts of stored food material, and a protective outer seedcoat. Synonymous with grain.

SEL IND=SELECTION INDEX. The selection index gives a single measure ofthe hybrid's worth based on information for up to five traits. A maizebreeder may utilize his or her own set of traits for the selectionindex. One of the traits that is almost always included is yield. Theselection index data presented in the tables represent the mean valueaveraged across testing stations.

SELF POLLINATION. A plant is self-pollinated if pollen from one floweris transferred to the same or another flower of the same plant.

SIB POLLINATION. A plant is sib-pollinated when individuals within thesame family or variety are used for pollination.

SINGLE LOCUS CONVERSION TRAIT. A trait that can be introgressed into acorn variety through introgression and/or transformation of a singlelocus. Examples of such single locus traits include mutant genes,transgenes and native traits finely mapped to a single locus. One ormore single locus conversion traits may be introduced into a single cornvariety.

SITE SPECIFIC INTEGRATION: Genes that create a site for site specificDNA integration. This includes the introduction of FRT sites that may beused in the FLP/FRT system and/or Lox sites that may be used in theCre/Loxp system. For example, see Lyznik, et al., Site-SpecificRecombination for Genetic Engineering in Plants, Plant Cell Rep (2003)21:925-932 and WO 99/25821.

SLFBLT=SOUTHERN LEAF BLIGHT (Helminthosporium maydis or Bipolarismaydis). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to SouthernLeaf Blight. A higher score indicates a higher resistance. Data arecollected only when sufficient selection pressure exists in theexperiment measured.

SOURST=SOUTHERN RUST (Puccinia polysora). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Southern Rust. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance. Data are collected only when sufficient selectionpressure exists in the experiment measured.

SPKDSC=SPIKLET DENSITY SCORE. The visual 1-9 rating of how densespikelets are on the middle tassel branches. A higher score indicateshigher spikelet density.

STAGRN=STAY GREEN. Stay green is the measure of plant health near thetime of black layer formation (physiological maturity). A high scoreindicates better late-season plant health.

STDADV=STALK STANDING ADVANTAGE. The advantage of variety #1 overvariety #2 for the trait STKCNT.

STKCNT=NUMBER OF PLANTS. This is the final stand or number of plants perplot.

STKLDG=STALK LODGING REGULAR. This is the percentage of plants that didnot stalk lodge (stalk breakage) at regular harvest (when grain moistureis between about 20 and 30%) as measured by either natural lodging orpushing the stalks and determining the percentage of plants that breakbelow the ear. Data are collected only when sufficient selectionpressure exists in the experiment measured.

STKLDS=STALK LODGING SCORE. A plant is considered as stalk lodged if thestalk is broken or crimped between the ear and the ground. This can becaused by any or a combination of the following: strong winds late inthe season, disease pressure within the stalks, ECB damage orgenetically weak stalks. This trait should be taken just prior to or atharvest. Expressed on a 1 to 9 scale with 9 being no lodging. Data arecollected only when sufficient selection pressure exists in theexperiment measured.

STLLPN=LATE STALK LODGING. This is the percent of plants that did notstalk lodge (stalk breakage or crimping) at or around late seasonharvest (when grain moisture is below 20%) as measured by either naturallodging or pushing the stalks and determining the percentage of plantsthat break or crimp below the ear. Data are collected only whensufficient selection pressure exists in the experiment measured.

STLPCN=STALK LODGING REGULAR. This is an estimate of the percentage ofplants that did not stalk lodge (stalk breakage) at regular harvest(when grain moisture is between about 20 and 30%) as measured by eithernatural lodging or pushing the stalks and determining the percentage ofplants that break below the ear. Data are collected only when sufficientselection pressure exists in the experiment measured.

STLTIP=STERILE TIPS SCORE. The visual 1 to 9 rating of the relative lackof glumes on the tassel central spike and branches. A higher scoreindicates less incidence of sterile tips or lack of glumes on thetassel.

STRT=GRAIN STARCH. Absolute value of starch content of the kernel aspredicted by Near-infrared Transmittance and expressed as a percent ofdry matter.

STWWLT=Stewart's Wilt (Erwinia stewartii). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Stewart's Wilt. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance. Data are collected only when sufficient selectionpressure exists in the experiment measured.

SSRs. Genetic markers based on polymorphisms in repeated nucleotidesequences, such as microsatellites. A marker system based on SSRs can behighly informative in linkage analysis relative to other marker systemsin that multiple alleles may be present.

TASBLS=TASSEL BLAST. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to measure thedegree of blasting (necrosis due to heat stress) of the tassel at thetime of flowering. A 1 would indicate a very high level of blasting attime of flowering, while a 9 would have no tassel blasting. Data arecollected only when sufficient selection pressure exists in theexperiment measured.

TASBRN=TASSEL BRANCH NUMBER. The number of tassel branches, with anthersoriginating from the central spike.

TASSZ=TASSEL SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate therelative size of the tassel. The higher the rating the larger thetassel.

TAS WT=TASSEL WEIGHT. This is the average weight of a tassel (grams)just prior to pollen shed.

TEXEAR=EAR TEXTURE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate therelative hardness (smoothness of crown) of mature grain. A 1 would bevery soft (extreme dent) while a 9 would be very hard (flinty or verysmooth crown).

TILLER=TILLERS. A count of the number of tillers per plot that couldpossibly shed pollen was taken. Data are given as a percentage oftillers: number of tillers per plot divided by number of plants perplot.

TSTWT=TEST WEIGHT (UNADJUSTED). The measure of the weight of the grainin pounds for a given volume (bushel).

TSWADV=TEST WEIGHT ADVANTAGE. The test weight advantage of variety #1over variety #2.

VARIETY. A substantially homozygous inbred line and minor geneticmodifications thereof that retain the overall genetics of the inbredline including but not limited to a locus conversion, a mutation, or asomoclonal variant.

WIN M %=PERCENT MOISTURE WINS.

WIN Y %=PERCENT YIELD WINS.

YIELD BU/A=YIELD (BUSHELS/ACRE). Yield of the grain at harvest by weightor volume (bushels) per unit area (acre) adjusted to 15% moisture.

YLDADV=YIELD ADVANTAGE. The yield advantage of variety #1 over variety#2 as calculated by: YIELD of variety #1—YIELD variety #2=YIELDADVANTAGE of variety #1.

YLDSC=YIELD SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to give a relativerating for yield based on plot ear piles. The higher the rating thegreater visual yield appearance.

Definitions for Area of Adaptability

When referring to area of adaptability, such term is used to describethe location with the environmental conditions that would be well suitedfor this maize variety. Area of adaptability is based on a number offactors, for example: days to maturity, insect resistance, diseaseresistance, and drought resistance. Area of adaptability does notindicate that the maize variety will grow in every location within thearea of adaptability or that it will not grow outside the area.

Central Corn Belt: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana

Drylands: non-irrigated areas of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska,Kansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma

Eastern U.S.: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and WestVirginia

North central U.S.: Minnesota and Wisconsin

Northeast: Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Ontario and Quebec Canada

Northwest U.S.: North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Washington, Oregon,Montana, Utah, and Idaho

South central U.S.: Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas

Southeast U.S.: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana

Southwest U.S.: Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona

Western U.S.: Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, and California

Maritime Europe Northern France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands andAustria

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND FURTHER EMBODIMENTS

All tables discussed in the Detailed Description of the Invention andFurther Embodiments section can found at the end of the section.

Morphological and Physiological Characteristics of PHEKN

Inbred maize variety PHEKN may be used as either a male or female in theproduction of the first generation F1 maize hybrid although PHEKN may bebest suited for use as a female. Inbred maize line PHEKN is best adaptedto the Central, Eastern, Western and Northcentral in the United Statesand can be used to produce hybrids from 112 to 97 maturity based on thecomparative Relative Maturity rating system Inbred maize line PHEKNdemonstrates good Gosses Wilt tolerance, good early growth and good coldtest as an inbred per se. In hybrid combination, Inbred maize varietyPHEKN demonstrates excellent yield, moisture, good stalk and rootlodging resistance, good brittle snap tolerance and above averagetestweight.

The inbred has shown uniformity and stability within the limits ofenvironmental influence for all the traits as described in the VarietyDescription Information (Table 1, found at the end of the section). Theinbred has been self-pollinated and ear-rowed a sufficient number ofgenerations with careful attention paid to uniformity of plant type toensure the homozygosity and phenotypic stability necessary for use incommercial hybrid seed production. The variety has been increased bothby hand and in isolated fields with continued observation foruniformity. No variant traits have been observed or are expected inPHEKN.

Inbred maize variety PHEKN, being substantially homozygous, can bereproduced by planting seeds of the variety, growing the resulting maizeplants under self-pollinating or sib-pollinating conditions withadequate isolation, and harvesting the resulting seed using techniquesfamiliar to the agricultural arts.

Genotypic Characteristics of PHEKN

In addition to phenotypic observations, a plant can also be identifiedby its genotype. The genotype of a plant can be characterized through agenetic marker profile, which can identify plants of the same variety ora related variety, or be used to determine or validate a pedigree. TheSSR profile of Inbred PHEKN can be found in Table 2 at the end of thissection. As a result of inbreeding, PHEKN is substantially homozygous.This homozygosity has been characterized at the loci shown in the markerprofile provided herein. An F1 hybrid made with PHEKN wouldsubstantially comprise the marker profile of PHEKN shown herein. This isbecause an F1 hybrid is the sum of its inbred parents, e.g., if oneinbred parent is homozygous for allele x at a particular locus, and theother inbred parent is homozygous for allele y at that locus, the F1hybrid will be x.y (heterozygous) at that locus. The profile cantherefore be used to identify hybrids comprising PHEKN as a parent,since such hybrids will comprise two sets of alleles, one set of whichwill be from PHEKN. The determination of the male set of alleles and thefemale set of alleles may be made by profiling the hybrid and thepericarp of the hybrid seed, which is composed of maternal parent cells.One way to obtain the paternal parent profile is to subtract thepericarp profile from the hybrid profile.

Subsequent generations of progeny produced by selection and breeding areexpected to be of genotype x (homozygous), y (homozygous), or x.y(heterozygous) for these locus positions. When the F1 plant is used toproduce an inbred, the resulting inbred should be either x or y for thatallele. In that regard, a unique allele or combination of alleles uniqueto that inbred can be used to identify progeny plants developed withPHEKN.

Therefore, in accordance with the above, an embodiment of this inventionis a PHEKN progeny maize plant or plant part that is a first generation(F1) hybrid maize plant comprising two sets of alleles, wherein one setof the alleles is the same as PHEKN at substantially all of the SSR locilisted in Table 2. A maize cell wherein one set of the alleles is thesame as PHEKN at substantially all of the SSR loci listed in Table 2 isalso an embodiment of the invention. This maize cell may be a part of ahybrid seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing PHEKN with anotherinbred maize plant.

Genetic marker profiles can be obtained by techniques such asRestriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly AmplifiedPolymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction(AP-PCR), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence CharacterizedAmplified Regions (SCARs), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms(AFLPs), Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) which are also referred to asMicrosatellites, and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Forexample, see Berry, Don et al., “Assessing Probability of Ancestry UsingSimple Sequence Repeat Profiles: Applications to Maize Hybrids andInbreds”, Genetics, 2002, 161:813-824, and Berry, Don et al., “AssessingProbability of Ancestry Using Simple Sequence Repeat Profiles:Applications to Maize Inbred Lines and Soybean Varieties”, Genetics,2003, 165: 331-342.

Particular markers used for these purposes are not limited to the set ofmarkers disclosed herein, but may include any type of marker and markerprofile which provides a means of distinguishing varieties. In additionto being used for identification of Inbred maize variety PHEKN, a hybridproduced through the use of PHEKN, and the identification orverification of pedigree for progeny plants produced through the use ofPHEKN, the genetic marker profile is also useful in developing anintrogressed trait conversion of PHEKN.

Means of performing genetic marker profiles using SSR polymorphisms arewell known in the art. SSRs are genetic markers based on polymorphismsin repeated nucleotide sequences, such as microsatellites. A markersystem based on SSRs can be highly informative in linkage analysisrelative to other marker systems in that multiple alleles may bepresent. Another advantage of this type of marker is that, through useof flanking primers, detection of SSRs can be achieved, for example, bythe polymerase chain reaction (PCR), thereby eliminating the need forlabor-intensive Southern hybridization. The PCR detection is done by useof two oligonucleotide primers flanking the polymorphic segment ofrepetitive DNA. Repeated cycles of heat denaturation of the DNA followedby annealing of the primers to their complementary sequences at lowtemperatures, and extension of the annealed primers with DNA polymerase,comprise the major part of the methodology.

Following amplification, markers can be scored by electrophoresis of theamplification products. Scoring of marker genotype is based on the sizeof the amplified fragment, which may be measured by the number of basepairs of the fragment. While variation in the primer used or inlaboratory procedures can affect the reported fragment size, relativevalues should remain constant regardless of the specific primer orlaboratory used. When comparing plants it is preferable if all SSRprofiles are performed in the same lab. The SSR analyses reported hereinwere conducted in-house at Pioneer Hi-Bred. An SSR service is availableto the public on a contractual basis by DNA Landmarks inSaint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada.

Primers used for the SSRs reported herein are publicly available and maybe found in the Maize GDB on the World Wide Web at maizegdb.org(sponsored by the USDA Agricultural Research Service), in Sharopova etal. (Plant Mol. Biol. 48(5-6):463-481), Lee et al. (Plant Mol. Biol.48(5-6); 453-461), or may be constructed from sequences if reportedherein. Primers may be constructed from publicly available sequenceinformation. Some marker information may also be available from DNALandmarks.

Map information is provided by chromosome position and location. Binnumbers, position and location corresponding to these loci are reportedin the Maize GDB for the IBM 2 and/or IBM 2 Neighbors maps. Mappositions are also available on the Maize GDB for a variety of differentmapping populations.

PHEKN and its plant parts can be identified through a molecular markerprofile. An inbred corn plant cell having the SSR genetic marker profileshown in Table 2 is an embodiment of the invention. Such plant cell maybe either diploid or haploid.

Also encompassed within the scope of the invention are plants and plantparts substantially benefiting from the use of PHEKN in theirdevelopment, such as PHEKN comprising a introgressed trait throughbackcross conversion or transformation, and which may be identified byhaving an SSR molecular marker profile with a high percent identity toPHEKN, such as at least 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%,89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 99.5% identity.Likewise, percent similarity at these percentages may be used toidentify plants produced by the use of PHEKN.

Comparing PHEKN to Other Inbreds

A breeder uses various methods to help determine which plants should beselected from segregating populations and ultimately which inbredvarieties will be used to develop hybrids for commercialization. Inaddition to knowledge of the germplasm and plant genetics, a part of theselection process is dependent on experimental design coupled with theuse of statistical analysis. Experimental design and statisticalanalysis are used to help determine which plants, which family ofplants, and finally which inbred varieties and hybrid combinations aresignificantly better or different for one or more traits of interest.Experimental design methods are used to assess error so that differencesbetween two inbred varieties or two hybrid varieties can be moreaccurately evaluated. Statistical analysis includes the calculation ofmean values, determination of the statistical significance of thesources of variation, and the calculation of the appropriate variancecomponents. Either a five or a one percent significance level iscustomarily used to determine whether a difference that occurs for agiven trait is real or due to the environment or experimental error. Oneof ordinary skill in the art of plant breeding would know how toevaluate the traits of two plant varieties to determine if there is nosignificant difference between the two traits expressed by thosevarieties. For example, see Fehr, Walt, Principles of CultivarDevelopment, p. 261-286 (1987). Mean trait values may be used todetermine whether trait differences are significant. Trait values shouldpreferably be measured on plants grown under the same environmentalconditions, and environmental conditions should be appropriate for thetraits or traits being evaluated. Sufficient selection pressure shouldbe present for optimum measurement of traits of interest such asherbicide, insect or disease resistance. A locus conversion of PHEKN forherbicide resistance should be compared with an isogenic counterpart inthe absence of the converted trait. In addition, a locus conversion forinsect or disease resistance should be compared to the isogeniccounterpart, in the absence of disease pressure or insect pressure.

In Table 3, data from traits and characteristics of inbred maize varietyPHEKN per se are given and compared to other maize inbred varieties andhybrids. The following are the results of these comparisons. The resultsin Table 3 show inbred PHEKN has significantly different traits comparedto other maize inbred varieties.

The results in Table 3A compare inbred PHEKN to inbred PH4GP. Theresults show inbred PHEKN has significantly different yield andresistance to gray leaf spot when compared to PH4GP.

The results in Table 3B compare inbred PHEKN to inbred PH7CH. Theresults show inbred PHEKN differs significantly over multiple traitsincluding plant height and ear height when compared to inbred PH7CH.

Development of Maize Hybrids using PHEKN

A single cross maize hybrid results from the cross of two inbredvarieties, each of which has a genotype that complements the genotype ofthe other. A hybrid progeny of the first generation is designated F1. Inthe development of commercial hybrids in a maize plant breeding program,only the F1 hybrid plants are sought. F1 hybrids are more vigorous thantheir inbred parents. This hybrid vigor, or heterosis, can be manifestedin many polygenic traits, including increased vegetative growth andincreased yield.

PHEKN may be used to produce hybrid maize. One such embodiment is themethod of crossing inbred maize variety PHEKN with another maize plant,such as a different maize inbred variety, to form a first generation F1hybrid seed. The first generation F1 hybrid seed, plant and plant partproduced by this method is an embodiment of the invention. The firstgeneration F1 seed, plant and plant part will comprise an essentiallycomplete set of the alleles of inbred variety PHEKN. One of ordinaryskill in the art can utilize either breeder books or molecular methodsto identify a particular F1 hybrid plant produced using inbred varietyPHEKN. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art may also produce F1hybrids with transgenic, male sterile and/or backcross conversions ofinbred variety PHEKN

The development of a maize hybrid in a maize plant breeding programinvolves three steps: (1) the selection of plants from various germplasmpools for initial breeding crosses; (2) the selfing of the selectedplants from the breeding crosses for several generations to produce aseries of inbred varieties, such as PHEKN, which, although differentfrom each other, breed true and are highly uniform; and (3) crossing theselected inbred varieties with different inbred varieties to produce thehybrids. During the inbreeding process in maize, the vigor of thevarieties decreases, and so one would not be likely to use PHEKNdirectly to produce grain. However, vigor is restored when PHEKN iscrossed to a different inbred variety to produce a commercial F1 hybrid.An important consequence of the homozygosity and homogeneity of theinbred variety is that the hybrid between a defined pair of inbreds maybe reproduced indefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the inbredparents is maintained.

PHEKN may be used to produce a single cross hybrid, a double crosshybrid, or a three-way hybrid. A single cross hybrid is produced whentwo inbred varieties are crossed to produce the F1 progeny. A doublecross hybrid is produced from four inbred varieties crossed in pairs(A×B and C×D) and then the two F1 hybrids are crossed again (A×B)×(C×D).A three-way cross hybrid is produced from three inbred varieties wheretwo of the inbred varieties are crossed (A×B) and then the resulting F1hybrid is crossed with the third inbred (A×B)×C. In each case, pericarptissue from the female parent will be a part of and protect the hybridseed.

Combining Ability of PHEKN

Combining ability of a variety, as well as the performance of thevariety per se, is a factor in the selection of improved maize inbreds.Combining ability refers to a variety's contribution as a parent whencrossed with other varieties to form hybrids. The hybrids formed for thepurpose of selecting superior varieties may be referred to as testcrosses, and include comparisons to other hybrid varieties grown in thesame environment (same cross, location and time of planting). One way ofmeasuring combining ability is by using values based in part on theoverall mean of a number of test crosses weighted by number ofexperiment and location combinations in which the hybrid combinationsoccurs. The mean may be adjusted to remove environmental effects andknown genetic relationships among the varieties.

General combining ability provides an overall score for the inbred overa large number of test crosses. Specific combining ability providesinformation on hybrid combinations formed by PHEKN and a specific inbredparent. A variety such as PHEKN which exhibits good general combiningability may be used in a large number of hybrid combinations.

A general combining ability report for inbred PHEKN is provided in Table4. This data represents the overall mean value for these traits overhundreds of test crosses. Table 4 demonstrates that inbred PHEKN showsgood general combining ability for hybrid production.

Hybrid Comparisons

These hybrid comparisons represent specific hybrid crosses with PHEKNand a comparison of these specific hybrids with other hybrids withfavorable characteristics. These comparisons illustrate the goodspecific combining ability of PHEKN.

The results in Table 5 compare a specific hybrid for which inbred PHEKNis a parent with other hybrids. The results show that inbred PHEKN showsgood specific combining ability.

The data in Table 6 show that numerous species of the genus of F1hybrids created with PHEKN have been reduced to practice. Phenotypicdata are presented for these hybrids and are based on replicated fieldtrials. Of course, many more species of this genus may be created by oneof ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation by crossingPHEKN with a multitude of publicly available inbred varieties. Forexample, see J. T. Gerdes et al., Compilation of North American MaizeBreeding Germplasm, pp. 1-87 (Crop Science Society of America, 1993)which is incorporated by reference for this purpose.

Introgression of a New Locus or Trait into PHEKN

PHEKN represents a new base genetic variety into which a new locus ortrait may be introgressed. Direct transformation and backcrossingrepresent two important methods that can be used to accomplish such anintrogression. The term locus conversion is used to designate theproduct of such an introgression.

Locus Conversions of PHEKN

A locus conversion of PHEKN will retain the genetic integrity of PHEKN.The molecular marker data provided in table # as well as theavailability of the seed deposit for determining the genetic profileillustrates the genetic integrity of PHEKN. A locus conversion of PHEKNwill comprise at least 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of thebase genetics of PHEKN. For example, a locus conversion of PHEKN can bedeveloped when DNA sequences are introduced through backcrossing(Hallauer et al. in Corn and Corn Improvement, Sprague and Dudley, ThirdEd. 1998), with PHEKN utilized as the recurrent parent. Both naturallyoccurring and transgenic DNA sequences may be introduced throughbackcrossing techniques. A backcross conversion may produce a plant witha trait or locus conversion in at least one or more backcrosses,including at least 2 crosses, at least 3 crosses, at least 4 crosses, atleast 5 crosses and the like. Molecular marker assisted breeding orselection may be utilized to reduce the number of backcrosses necessaryto achieve the backcross conversion. For example, see Openshaw, S. J. etal., Marker-assisted Selection in Backcross Breeding, In: ProceedingsSymposium of the Analysis of Molecular Data, August 1994, Crop ScienceSociety of America, Corvallis, OR, where it is demonstrated that abackcross conversion can be made in as few as two backcrosses.

The complexity of the backcross conversion method depends on the type oftrait being transferred (single genes or closely linked genes as vs.unlinked genes), the level of expression of the trait, the type ofinheritance (cytoplasmic or nuclear) and the types of parents includedin the cross. It is understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat for single gene traits that are relatively easy to classify, thebackcross method is effective and relatively easy to manage. (SeeHallauer et al. in Corn and Corn Improvement, Sprague and Dudley, ThirdEd. 1998). Desired traits that may be transferred through backcrossconversion include, but are not limited to, waxy starch, sterility(nuclear and cytoplasmic), fertility restoration, grain color (white),nutritional enhancements, drought resistance, enhanced nitrogenutilization efficiency, altered nitrogen responsiveness, altered fattyacid profile, increased digestibility, low phytate, industrialenhancements, disease resistance (bacterial, fungal or viral), insectresistance, herbicide resistance and yield enhancements. In addition, anintrogression site itself, such as an FRT site, Lox site or other sitespecific integration site, may be inserted by backcrossing and utilizedfor direct insertion of one or more genes of interest into a specificplant variety. In some embodiments of the invention, the number of locithat may be backcrossed into PHEKN is at least 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 and/orno more than 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2. The seed industry commonlymarkets “triple stacks” of base genetics; which can be varietiescomprising a locus conversion of at least 3 loci. Similarly, “quadruplestacks” would comprise the base genetics and could comprise a locusconversion of at least 4 loci. For example, figures from PurdueUniversity show that biotech-trait corn accounted for 61% of all cornacres in 2006 and corn with two or more stacked traits accounted for11.9 million acres. That's a significant portion of the approximately 80million acres of corn grown in the U.S. In addition, for 2007 at leastone company projects selling more triple-stack corn hybrids than singletrait hybrids. (Double, Triple, Quad Nov. 8, 2006 Wayne Wenzel,Agweb.com). A single locus may contain several transgenes, such as atransgene for disease resistance that, in the same expression vector,also contains a transgene for herbicide resistance. The gene forherbicide resistance may be used as a selectable marker and/or as aphenotypic trait. A locus conversion of a site specific integrationsystem allows for the integration of multiple genes at the convertedloci. Further, SSI and FRT technologies known to those of skill in theart in the art may result in multiple gene introgressions at a singlelocus.

The locus conversion may result from either the transfer of a dominantallele or a recessive allele. Selection of progeny containing the traitof interest is accomplished by direct selection for a trait associatedwith a dominant allele. Transgenes transferred via backcrossingtypically function as a dominant single gene trait and are relativelyeasy to classify. Selection of progeny for a trait that is transferredvia a recessive allele, such as the waxy starch characteristic, requiresgrowing and selfing the first backcross generation to determine whichplants carry the recessive alleles. Recessive traits may requireadditional progeny testing in successive backcross generations todetermine the presence of the locus of interest. The last backcrossgeneration is usually selfed to give pure breeding progeny for thegene(s) being transferred, although a backcross conversion with a stablyintrogressed trait may also be maintained by further backcrossing to therecurrent parent with selection for the converted trait.

Along with selection for the trait of interest, progeny are selected forthe phenotype and/or genotype of the recurrent parent. Whileoccasionally additional polynucleotide sequences or genes may betransferred along with the backcross conversion, the backcrossconversion variety “fits into the same hybrid combination as therecurrent parent inbred variety and contributes the effect of theadditional gene added through the backcross.” Poehlman et al. (1995,page 334). It has been proposed that in general there should be at leastfour backcrosses when it is important that the recovered varieties beessentially identical to the recurrent parent except for thecharacteristic being transferred (Fehr 1987, Principles of CultivarDevelopment). However, as noted above, the number of backcrossesnecessary can be reduced with the use of molecular markers. Otherfactors, such as a genetically similar donor parent, may also reduce thenumber of backcrosses necessary.

One process for adding or modifying a trait or locus in maize inbredvariety PHEKN comprises crossing PHEKN plants grown from PHEKN seed withplants of another maize variety that comprise the desired trait orlocus, selecting F1 progeny plants that comprise the desired trait orlocus to produce selected F1 progeny plants, crossing the selectedprogeny plants with the PHEKN plants to produce backcross progenyplants, selecting for backcross progeny plants that have the desiredtrait or locus and the morphological characteristics of maize inbredvariety PHEKN to produce selected backcross progeny plants; andbackcrossing to PHEKN three or more times in succession to produceselected fourth or higher backcross progeny plants that comprise saidtrait or locus. The modified PHEKN may be further characterized ashaving the physiological and morphological characteristics of maizeinbred variety PHEKN listed in Table 1 as determined at the 5%significance level when grown in the same environmental conditionsand/or may be characterized by percent similarity or identity to PHEKNas determined by SSR markers.

Traits are also used by those of ordinary skill in the art tocharacterize progeny. Traits are commonly evaluated at a significancelevel, such as a 1%, 5% or 10% significance level, when measured inplants grown in the same environmental conditions. For example, a locusconversion of PHEKN may be characterized as having the samemorphological and physiological traits as PHEKN. The traits used forcomparison may be those traits shown in Table 1, Table 3, Table 4 orTable 5. Molecular markers can also be used during the breeding processfor the selection of qualitative traits. For example, markers closelylinked to alleles or markers containing sequences within the actualalleles of interest can be used to select plants that contain thealleles of interest during a backcrossing breeding program. The markerscan also be used to select for the genome of the recurrent parent andagainst the genome of the donor parent. Using this procedure canminimize the amount of genome from the donor parent that remains in theselected plants.

The above method may be utilized with fewer backcrosses in appropriatesituations, such as when the donor parent is highly related or markersare used in the selection step. Desired traits that may be used includethose nucleic acids known in the art, some of which are listed herein,that will affect traits through nucleic acid expression or inhibition.Desired loci include the introgression of FRT, Lox and other sites forsite specific integration.

In addition, the above process and other similar processes describedherein may be used to produce F1 hybrid maize seed by adding a step atthe end of the process that comprises crossing PHEKN with theintrogressed trait or locus with a different maize plant and harvestingthe resultant F1 hybrid maize seed.

Male Sterility and Hybrid Seed Production

Hybrid seed production requires elimination or inactivation of pollenproduced by the female inbred parent. Incomplete removal or inactivationof the pollen provides the potential for self-pollination. A reliablemethod of controlling male fertility in plants offers the opportunityfor improved seed production.

PHEKN can be produced in a male-sterile form. There are several ways inwhich a maize plant can be manipulated so that it is male sterile. Theseinclude use of manual or mechanical emasculation (or detasseling), useof one or more genetic factors that confer male sterility, includingcytoplasmic genetic and/or nuclear genetic male sterility, use ofgametocides and the like. A male sterile inbred designated PHEKN mayinclude one or more genetic factors, which result in cytoplasmic geneticand/or nuclear genetic male sterility. All of such embodiments arewithin the scope of the present claims. The male sterility may be eitherpartial or complete male sterility.

Hybrid maize seed is often produced by a male sterility systemincorporating manual or mechanical detasseling. Alternate strips of twomaize inbreds are planted in a field, and the pollen-bearing tassels areremoved from one of the inbreds (female). Provided that there issufficient isolation from sources of foreign maize pollen, the ears ofthe detasseled inbred will be fertilized only from the other inbred(male), and the resulting seed is therefore hybrid and will form hybridplants.

The laborious detasseling process can be avoided by using cytoplasmicmale-sterile (CMS) inbreds. Plants of a CMS inbred are male sterile as aresult of genetic factors in the cytoplasm, as opposed to the nucleus,and so nuclear linked genes are not transferred during backcrossing.Thus, this characteristic is inherited exclusively through the femaleparent in maize plants, since only the female provides cytoplasm to thefertilized seed. CMS plants are fertilized with pollen from anotherinbred that is not male-sterile. Pollen from the second inbred may ormay not contribute genes that make the hybrid plants male-fertile, andeither option may be preferred depending on the intended use of thehybrid. The same hybrid seed, a portion produced from detasseled fertilemaize and a portion produced using the CMS system, can be blended toinsure that adequate pollen loads are available for fertilization whenthe hybrid plants are grown. CMS systems have been successfully usedsince the 1950's, and the male sterility trait is routinely backcrossedinto inbred varieties. See Wych, p. 585-586, 1998.

There are several methods of conferring genetic male sterilityavailable, such as multiple mutant genes at separate locations withinthe genome that confer male sterility, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,654,465 and 4,727,219 to Brar et al. and chromosomal translocations asdescribed by Patterson in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,861,709 and 3,710,511. Inaddition to these methods, Albertsen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,068,describe a system of nuclear male sterility which includes: identifyinga gene which is critical to male fertility; silencing this native genewhich is critical to male fertility; removing the native promoter fromthe essential male fertility gene and replacing it with an induciblepromoter; inserting this genetically engineered gene back into theplant; and thus creating a plant that is male sterile because theinducible promoter is not “on” resulting in the male fertility gene notbeing transcribed. Fertility is restored by inducing, or turning “on”,the promoter, which in turn allows the gene that confers male fertilityto be transcribed.

These, and the other methods of conferring genetic male sterility in theart, each possess their own benefits and drawbacks. Some other methodsuse a variety of approaches such as delivering into the plant a geneencoding a cytotoxic substance associated with a male tissue specificpromoter or an antisense system in which a gene critical to fertility isidentified and an antisense to that gene is inserted in the plant (seeFabinjanski, et al. EPO 89/3010153.8 publication no. 329,308 and PCTapplication PCT/CA90/00037 published as WO 90/08828).

Another system for controlling male sterility makes use of gametocides.Gametocides are not a genetic system, but rather a topical applicationof chemicals. These chemicals affect cells that are critical to malefertility. The application of these chemicals affects fertility in theplants only for the growing season in which the gametocide is applied(see Carlson, Glenn R., U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,904). Application of thegametocide, timing of the application and genotype specificity oftenlimit the usefulness of the approach and it is not appropriate in allsituations.

Incomplete control over male fertility may result in self-pollinatedseed being unintentionally harvested and packaged with hybrid seed. Thiswould typically be only female parent seed, because the male plant isgrown in rows that are typically destroyed prior to seed development.Once the seed from the hybrid bag is planted, it is possible to identifyand select these self-pollinated plants. These self-pollinated plantswill be one of the inbred varieties used to produce the hybrid. Thoughthe possibility of inbred PHEKN being included in a hybrid seed bagexists, the occurrence is very low because much care is taken by seedcompanies to avoid such inclusions. It is worth noting that hybrid seedis sold to growers for the production of grain or forage and not forbreeding or seed production. These self-pollinated plants can beidentified and selected by one skilled in the art due to their lessvigorous appearance for vegetative and/or reproductive characteristics,including shorter plant height, small ear size, ear and kernel shape,cob color, or other characteristics.

Identification of these self-pollinated varieties can also beaccomplished through molecular marker analyses. See, “The Identificationof Female Selfs in Hybrid Maize: A Comparison Using Electrophoresis andMorphology”, Smith, J. S. C. and Wych, R. D., Seed Science andTechnology 14, 1-8 (1995), the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference. Through these technologies, thehomozygosity of the self pollinated variety can be verified by analyzingallelic composition at various loci along the genome. Those methodsallow for rapid identification of the invention disclosed herein. Seealso, “Identification of Atypical Plants in Hybrid Maize Seed byPostcontrol and Electrophoresis” Sarca, V. et al., Probleme de GeneticaTeoritica si Aplicata Vol. (1) p. 29-42.

An embodiment of this invention is a process for producing seed of PHEKNcomprising planting a collection of seed comprising seed of a hybrid,one of whose parents is inbred PHEKN said collection also comprisingseed of said inbred, growing plants from said collection of seed,identifying inbred parent plants, selecting said inbred parent plant;and controlling pollination to preserve the homozygosity of said inbredparent plant.

Transformation

The advent of new molecular biological techniques has allowed theisolation and characterization of genetic elements with specificfunctions, such as encoding specific protein products. Scientists in thefield of plant biology developed a strong interest in engineering thegenome of plants to contain and express foreign genetic elements, oradditional, or modified versions of native or endogenous geneticelements in order to alter the traits of a plant in a specific manner.Any DNA sequences, whether from a different species or from the samespecies, which are inserted into the genome using transformation arereferred to herein collectively as “transgenes”. In some embodiments ofthe invention, a transformed variant of PHEKN may comprise at least onetransgene but could contain at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10and/or no more than 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2.Over the last fifteen to twenty years several methods for producingtransgenic plants have been developed, and the present invention alsorelates to transformed versions of the claimed inbred maize varietyPHEKN as well as hybrid combinations thereof.

Numerous methods for plant transformation have been developed, includingbiological and physical plant transformation protocols. See, forexample, Miki et al., “Procedures for Introducing Foreign DNA intoPlants” in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick,B. R. and Thompson, J. E. Eds. (CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, 1993) pages67-88 and Armstrong, “The First Decade of Maize Transformation: A Reviewand Future Perspective” (Maydica 44:101-109, 1999). In addition,expression vectors and in vitro culture methods for plant cell or tissuetransformation and regeneration of plants are available. See, forexample, Gruber et al., “Vectors for Plant Transformation” in Methods inPlant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick, B. R. and Thompson, J.E. Eds. (CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, 1993) pages 89-119.

The most prevalent types of plant transformation involve theconstruction of an expression vector. Such a vector comprises a DNAsequence that contains a gene under the control of or operatively linkedto a regulatory element, for example a promoter. The vector may containone or more genes and one or more regulatory elements.

A genetic trait which has been engineered into the genome of aparticular maize plant using transformation techniques, could be movedinto the genome of another variety using traditional breeding techniquesthat are well known in the plant breeding arts. For example, abackcrossing approach is commonly used to move a transgene from atransformed maize plant to an elite inbred variety, and the resultingprogeny would then comprise the transgene(s). Also, if an inbred varietywas used for the transformation then the transgenic plants could becrossed to a different inbred in order to produce a transgenic hybridmaize plant.

Various genetic elements can be introduced into the plant genome usingtransformation. These elements include, but are not limited to genes;coding sequences; inducible, constitutive, and tissue specificpromoters; enhancing sequences; and signal and targeting sequences. Forexample, see the traits, genes and transformation methods listed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,118,055 and 6,284,953, which are herein incorporated byreference. In addition, transformability of a variety can be increasedby introgressing the trait of high transformability from another varietyknown to have high transformability, such as Hi-II. See U.S. PatentApplication Publication US2004/0016030 (2004).

With transgenic plants according to the present invention, a foreignprotein can be produced in commercial quantities. Thus, techniques forthe selection and propagation of transformed plants, which are wellunderstood in the art, yield a plurality of transgenic plants that areharvested in a conventional manner, and a foreign protein then can beextracted from a tissue of interest or from total biomass. Proteinextraction from plant biomass can be accomplished by known methods whichare discussed, for example, by Heney and Orr, Anal. Biochem. 114: 92-6(1981).

Transgenes can be mapped by one of ordinary skill in the art and suchtechniques are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Forexemplary methodologies in this regard, see for example, Glick andThompson, Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology 269-284(CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1993).

Likewise, by means of the present invention, plants can be geneticallyengineered to express various phenotypes of agronomic interest. Throughthe transformation of maize the expression of genes can be altered toenhance disease resistance, insect resistance, herbicide resistance,agronomic traits, grain quality and other traits. Transformation canalso be used to insert DNA sequences which control or help controlmale-sterility. DNA sequences native to maize as well as non-native DNAsequences can be transformed into maize and used to alter levels ofnative or non-native proteins. Various promoters, targeting sequences,enhancing sequences, and other DNA sequences can be inserted into themaize genome for the purpose of altering the expression of proteins.Reduction of the activity of specific genes (also known as genesilencing, or gene suppression) is desirable for several aspects ofgenetic engineering in plants.

Many techniques for gene silencing are well known to one of skill in theart, including but not limited to knock-outs (such as by insertion of atransposable element such as mu (Vicki Chandler, The Maize Handbook ch.118 (Springer-Verlag 1994) or other genetic elements such as a FRT, Loxor other site specific integration site, antisense technology (see,e.g., Sheehy et al. (1988) PNAS USA 85:8805-8809; and U.S. Pat. Nos.5,107,065; 5,453,566; and 5,759,829); co-suppression (e.g., Taylor(1997) Plant Cell 9:1245; Jorgensen (1990) Trends Biotech.8(12):340-344; Flavell (1994) PNAS USA 91:3490-3496; Finnegan et al.(1994) Bio/Technology 12: 883-888; and Neuhuber et al. (1994) Mol. Gen.Genet. 244:230-241); RNA interference (Napoli et al. (1990) Plant Cell2:279-289; U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,323; Sharp (1999) Genes Dev. 13:139-141;Zamore et al. (2000) Cell 101:25-33; and Montgomery et al. (1998) PNASUSA 95:15502-15507), virus-induced gene silencing (Burton, et al. (2000)Plant Cell 12:691-705; and Baulcombe (1999) Curr. Op. Plant Bio.2:109-113); target-RNA-specific ribozymes (Haseloff et al. (1988) Nature334: 585-591); hairpin structures (Smith et al. (2000) Nature407:319-320; WO 99/53050; and WO 98/53083); MicroRNA (Aukerman & Sakai(2003) Plant Cell 15:2730-2741); ribozymes (Steinecke et al. (1992) EMBOJ. 11:1525; and Perriman et al. (1993) Antisense Res. Dev. 3:253);oligonucleotide mediated targeted modification (e.g., WO 03/076574 andWO 99/25853); Zn-finger targeted molecules (e.g., WO 01/52620; WO03/048345; and WO 00/42219); and other methods or combinations of theabove methods known to those of skill in the art.

Exemplary nucleotide sequences that may be altered by geneticengineering include, but are not limited to, those categorized below.

1. Transgenes That Confer Resistance To Insects Or Disease And ThatEncode:

(A) Plant disease resistance genes. Plant defenses are often activatedby specific interaction between the product of a disease resistance gene(R) in the plant and the product of a corresponding avirulence (Avr)gene in the pathogen. A plant variety can be transformed with clonedresistance gene to engineer plants that are resistant to specificpathogen strains. See, for example Jones et al., Science 266: 789 (1994)(cloning of the tomato Cf-9 gene for resistance to Cladosporium fulvum);Martin et al., Science 262: 1432 (1993) (tomato Pto gene for resistanceto Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato encodes a protein kinase); Mindrinoset al., Cell 78: 1089 (1994) (Arabidopsis RSP2 gene for resistance toPseudomonas syringae), McDowell & Woffenden, (2003) Trends Biotechnol.21(4): 178-83 and Toyoda et al., (2002) Transgenic Res. 11(6):567-82. Aplant resistant to a disease is one that is more resistant to a pathogenas compared to the wild type plant.

(B) A Bacillus thuringiensis protein, a derivative thereof or asynthetic polypeptide modeled thereon. See, for example, Geiser et al.,Gene 48: 109 (1986), who disclose the cloning and nucleotide sequence ofa Bt delta-endotoxin gene. Moreover, DNA molecules encodingdelta-endotoxin genes can be purchased from American Type CultureCollection (Rockville, Md.), for example, under ATCC Accession Nos.40098, 67136, 31995 and 31998. Other examples of Bacillus thuringiensistransgenes being genetically engineered are given in the followingpatents and patent applications and hereby are incorporated by referencefor this purpose: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,188,960; 5,689,052; 5,880,275; WO91/14778; WO 99/31248; WO 01/12731; WO 99/24581; WO 97/40162 and U.S.application Ser. Nos. 10/032,717; 10/414,637; and 10/606,320.

(C) An insect-specific hormone or pheromone such as an ecdysteroid andjuvenile hormone, a variant thereof, a mimetic based thereon, or anantagonist or agonist thereof. See, for example, the disclosure byHammock et al., Nature 344:458 (1990), of baculovirus expression ofcloned juvenile hormone esterase, an inactivator of juvenile hormone.

(D) An insect-specific peptide which, upon expression, disrupts thephysiology of the affected pest. For example, see the disclosures ofRegan, J. Biol. Chem. 269: 9 (1994) (expression cloning yields DNAcoding for insect diuretic hormone receptor); Pratt et al., Biochem.Biophys. Res. Comm. 163: 1243 (1989) (an allostatin is identified inDiploptera puntata); Chattopadhyay et al. (2004) Critical Reviews inMicrobiology 30 (1): 33-54 2004; Zjawiony (2004) J Nat Prod 67 (2):300-310; Carlini & Grossi-de-Sa (2002) Toxicon, 40 (11): 1515-1539;Ussuf et al. (2001) Curr Sci. 80 (7): 847-853; and Vasconcelos &Oliveira (2004) Toxicon 44 (4): 385-403. See also U.S. Pat. No.5,266,317 to Tomalski et al., who disclose genes encodinginsect-specific toxins.

(E) An enzyme responsible for a hyperaccumulation of a monterpene, asesquiterpene, a steroid, hydroxamic acid, a phenylpropanoid derivativeor another non-protein molecule with insecticidal activity.

(F) An enzyme involved in the modification, including thepost-translational modification, of a biologically active molecule; forexample, a glycolytic enzyme, a proteolytic enzyme, a lipolytic enzyme,a nuclease, a cyclase, a transaminase, an esterase, a hydrolase, aphosphatase, a kinase, a phosphorylase, a polymerase, an elastase, achitinase and a glucanase, whether natural or synthetic. See PCTapplication WO 93/02197 in the name of Scott et al., which discloses thenucleotide sequence of a callase gene. DNA molecules which containchitinase-encoding sequences can be obtained, for example, from the ATCCunder Accession Nos. 39637 and 67152. See also Kramer et al., InsectBiochem. Molec. Biol. 23: 691 (1993), who teach the nucleotide sequenceof a cDNA encoding tobacco hookworm chitinase, and Kawalleck et al.,Plant Molec. Biol. 21: 673 (1993), who provide the nucleotide sequenceof the parsley ubi4-2 polyubiquitin gene, U.S. application Ser. Nos.10/389,432, 10/692,367, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,563,020.

(G) A molecule that stimulates signal transduction. For example, see thedisclosure by Botella et al., Plant Molec. Biol. 24: 757 (1994), ofnucleotide sequences for mung bean calmodulin cDNA clones, and Griess etal., Plant Physiol. 104: 1467 (1994), who provide the nucleotidesequence of a maize calmodulin cDNA clone.

(H) A hydrophobic moment peptide. See PCT application WO 95/16776 andU.S. Pat. No. 5,580,852 (disclosure of peptide derivatives ofTachyplesin which inhibit fungal plant pathogens) and PCT application WO95/18855 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,914 (teaches synthetic antimicrobialpeptides that confer disease resistance).

(I) A membrane permease, a channel former or a channel blocker. Forexample, see the disclosure by Jaynes et al., Plant Sci. 89: 43 (1993),of heterologous expression of a cecropin-beta lytic peptide analog torender transgenic tobacco plants resistant to Pseudomonas solanacearum.

(J) A viral-invasive protein or a complex toxin derived therefrom. Forexample, the accumulation of viral coat proteins in transformed plantcells imparts resistance to viral infection and/or disease developmenteffected by the virus from which the coat protein gene is derived, aswell as by related viruses. See Beachy et al., Ann. Rev. Phytopathol.28: 451 (1990). Coat protein-mediated resistance has been conferred upontransformed plants against alfalfa mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus,tobacco streak virus, potato virus X, potato virus Y, tobacco etchvirus, tobacco rattle virus and tobacco mosaic virus. Id.

(K) An insect-specific antibody or an immunotoxin derived therefrom.Thus, an antibody targeted to a critical metabolic function in theinsect gut would inactivate an affected enzyme, killing the insect. Cf.Taylor et al., Abstract #497, SEVENTH INT'L SYMPOSIUM ON MOLECULARPLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS (Edinburgh, Scotland, 1994) (enzymaticinactivation in transgenic tobacco via production of single-chainantibody fragments).

(L) A virus-specific antibody. See, for example, Tavladoraki et al.,Nature 366: 469 (1993), who show that transgenic plants expressingrecombinant antibody genes are protected from virus attack.

(M) A developmental-arrestive protein produced in nature by a pathogenor a parasite. Thus, fungal endo alpha-1,4-D-polygalacturonasesfacilitate fungal colonization and plant nutrient release bysolubilizing plant cell wall homo-alpha-1,4-D-galacturonase. See Lamb etal., Bio/Technology 10: 1436 (1992). The cloning and characterization ofa gene which encodes a bean endopolygalacturonase-inhibiting protein isdescribed by Toubart et al., Plant J. 2: 367 (1992).

(N) A developmental-arrestive protein produced in nature by a plant. Forexample, Logemann et al., Bio/Technology 10: 305 (1992), have shown thattransgenic plants expressing the barley ribosome-inactivating gene havean increased resistance to fungal disease.

(O) Genes involved in the Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) Responseand/or the pathogenesis related genes. Briggs, S., Current Biology,5(2):128-131 (1995), Pieterse & Van Loon (2004) Curr. Opin. Plant Bio.7(4):456-64 and Somssich (2003) Cell 113(7):815-6.

(P) Antifungal genes (Cornelissen and Melchers, P I. Physiol.101:709-712, (1993) and Parijs et al., Planta 183:258-264, (1991) andBushnell et al., Can. J. of Plant Path. 20(2):137-149 (1998). Also seeU.S. Pat. No. 6,875,907.

(Q) Detoxification genes, such as for fumonisin, beauvericin,moniliformin and zearalenone and their structurally related derivatives.For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,931.

(R) Cystatin and cysteine proteinase inhibitors. See U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/947,979.

(S) Defensin genes. See WO03000863 and U.S. application Ser. No.10/178,213.

(T) Genes conferring resistance to nematodes. See WO 03/033651 and Urwinet. al., Planta 204:472-479 (1998), Williamson (1999) Curr Opin PlantBio. 2(4):327-31.

(U) Genes such as rcg1 conferring resistance to Anthracnose stalk rot,which is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum graminiola. See M. Jung etal., Generation-means analysis and quantitative trait locus mapping ofAnthracnose Stalk Rot genes in Maize, Theor. Appl. Genet. (1994)89:413-418 which is incorporated by reference for this purpose, as wellas U.S. Patent Application 60/675,664, which is also incorporated byreference for this purpose.

2. Transgenes that Confer Resistance to a Herbicide, for Example:

(A) A herbicide that inhibits the growing point or meristem, such as animidazolinone or a sulfonylurea. Exemplary genes in this category codefor mutant ALS and AHAS enzyme as described, for example, by Lee et al.,EMBO J. 7: 1241 (1988), and Miki et al., Theor. Appl. Genet. 80: 449(1990), respectively. See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,605,011; 5,013,659;5,141,870; 5,767,361; 5,731,180; 5,304,732; 4,761,373; 5,331,107;5,928,937; and 5,378,824; and international publication WO 96/33270,which are incorporated herein by reference for this purpose.

(B) Glyphosate (resistance imparted by mutant5-enolpyruvl-3-phosphikimate synthase (EPSP) and aroA genes,respectively) and other phosphono compounds such as glufosinate(phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT) and Streptomyceshygroscopicus phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (bar) genes), andpyridinoxy or phenoxy proprionic acids and cycloshexones (ACCaseinhibitor-encoding genes). See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,835 toShah et al., which discloses the nucleotide sequence of a form of EPSPSwhich can confer glyphosate resistance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,061 to Barryet al. also describes genes encoding EPSPS enzymes. See also U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,566,587; 6,338,961; 6,248,876 B1; 6,040,497; 5,804,425;5,633,435; 5,145,783; 4,971,908; 5,312,910; 5,188,642; 4,940,835;5,866,775; 6,225,114 B1; 6,130,366; 5,310,667; 4,535,060; 4,769,061;5,633,448; 5,510,471; Re. 36,449; RE 37,287 E; and 5,491,288; andinternational publications EP1173580; WO 01/66704; EP1173581 andEP1173582, which are incorporated herein by reference for this purpose.Glyphosate resistance is also imparted to plants that express a genethat encodes a glyphosate oxido-reductase enzyme as described more fullyin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,776,760 and 5,463,175, which are incorporated hereinby reference for this purpose. In addition glyphosate resistance can beimparted to plants by the over expression of genes encoding glyphosateN-acetyltransferase. See, for example, U.S. application Ser. Nos.US01/46227; 10/427,692 and 10/427,692. A DNA molecule encoding a mutantaroA gene can be obtained under ATCC accession No. 39256, and thenucleotide sequence of the mutant gene is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,769,061 to Comai. European Patent Application No. 0 333 033 to Kumadaet al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,374 to Goodman et al. disclose nucleotidesequences of glutamine synthetase genes which confer resistance toherbicides such as L-phosphinothricin. The nucleotide sequence of aphosphinothricin-acetyl-transferase gene is provided in European PatentNo. 0 242 246 and 0 242 236 to Leemans et al. De Greef et al.,Bio/Technology 7: 61 (1989), describe the production of transgenicplants that express chimeric bar genes coding for phosphinothricinacetyl transferase activity. See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,969,213;5,489,520; 5,550,318; 5,874,265; 5,919,675; 5,561,236; 5,648,477;5,646,024; 6,177,616 B1; and 5,879,903, which are incorporated herein byreference for this purpose. Exemplary genes conferring resistance tophenoxy proprionic acids and cycloshexones, such as sethoxydim andhaloxyfop, are the Acc1-S1, Acc1-S2 and Acc1-S3 genes described byMarshall et al., Theor. Appl. Genet. 83: 435 (1992).

(C) A herbicide that inhibits photosynthesis, such as a triazine (psbAand gs+ genes) and a benzonitrile (nitrilase gene). Przibilla et al.,Plant Cell 3: 169 (1991), describe the transformation of Chlamydomonaswith plasmids encoding mutant psbA genes. Nucleotide sequences fornitrilase genes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,648 to Stalker, andDNA molecules containing these genes are available under ATCC AccessionNos. 53435, 67441 and 67442. Cloning and expression of DNA coding for aglutathione S-transferase is described by Hayes et al., Biochem. J. 285:173 (1992).

(D) Acetohydroxy acid synthase, which has been found to make plants thatexpress this enzyme resistant to multiple types of herbicides, has beenintroduced into a variety of plants (see, e.g., Hattori et al. (1995)Mol Gen Genet 246:419). Other genes that confer resistance to herbicidesinclude: a gene encoding a chimeric protein of rat cytochrome P4507A1and yeast NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (Shiota et al. (1994)Plant Physiol 106(1):17-23), genes for glutathione reductase andsuperoxide dismutase (Aono et al. (1995) Plant Cell Physiol 36:1687, andgenes for various phosphotransferases (Datta et al. (1992) Plant MolBiol 20:619).

(E) Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (protox) is necessary for the productionof chlorophyll, which is necessary for all plant survival. The protoxenzyme serves as the target for a variety of herbicidal compounds. Theseherbicides also inhibit growth of all the different species of plantspresent, causing their total destruction. The development of plantscontaining altered protox activity which are resistant to theseherbicides are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,288,306 B1; 6,282,837 B1;and 5,767,373; and international publication WO 01/12825.

3. Transgenes that Confer or Contribute to an Altered GrainCharacteristic, such as:

(A) Altered fatty acids, for example, by

-   -   (1) Down-regulation of stearoyl-ACP desaturase to increase        stearic acid content of the plant. See Knultzon et al., Proc.        Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 2624 (1992) and WO99/64579 (Genes for        Desaturases to Alter Lipid Profiles in Corn),    -   (2) Elevating oleic acid via FAD-2 gene modification and/or        decreasing linolenic acid via FAD-3 gene modification (see U.S.        Pat. Nos. 6,063,947; 6,323,392; 6,372,965 and WO 93/11245),    -   (3) Altering conjugated linolenic or linoleic acid content, such        as in WO 01/12800,    -   (4) Altering LEC1, AGP, Dek1, Superal1, mi1ps, various Ipa genes        such as Ipa1, Ipa3, hpt or hggt. For example, see WO 02/42424,        WO 98/22604, WO 03/011015, U.S. Pat. No. 6,423,886, U.S. Pat.        No. 6,197,561, U.S. Pat. No. 6,825,397, US2003/0079247,        US2003/0204870, WO02/057439, WO03/011015 and Rivera-Madrid, R.        et. al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 92:5620-5624 (1995).

(B) Altered phosphorus content, for example, by the

-   -   (1) Introduction of a phytase-encoding gene would enhance        breakdown of phytate, adding more free phosphate to the        transformed plant. For example, see Van Hartingsveldt et al.,        Gene 127: 87 (1993), for a disclosure of the nucleotide sequence        of an Aspergillus niger phytase gene.    -   (2) Up-regulation of a gene that reduces phytate content. In        maize, this, for example, could be accomplished, by cloning and        then re-introducing DNA associated with one or more of the        alleles, such as the LPA alleles, identified in maize mutants        characterized by low levels of phytic acid, such as in Raboy et        al., Maydica 35: 383 (1990) and/or by altering inositol kinase        activity as in WO 02/059324, US2003/000901 1, WO 03/027243,        US2003/0079247, WO 99/05298, U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,561, U.S. Pat.        No. 6,291,224, U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,348, WO2002/059324,        US2003/0079247, Wo98/45448, WO99/55882, WO01/04147.

(C) Altered carbohydrates effected, for example, by altering a gene foran enzyme that affects the branching pattern of starch or a genealtering thioredoxin such as NTR and/or TRX (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,531,648which is incorporated by reference for this purpose) and/or a gamma zeinknock out or mutant such as cs27 or TUSC27 or en27 (See U.S. Pat. No.6,858,778 and US2005/0160488, US2005/0204418; which are incorporated byreference for this purpose). See Shiroza et al., J. Bacteriol. 170: 810(1988) (nucleotide sequence of Streptococcus mutans fructosyltransferasegene), Steinmetz et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 200: 220 (1985) (nucleotidesequence of Bacillus subtilis levansucrase gene), Pen et al.,Bio/Technology 10: 292 (1992) (production of transgenic plants thatexpress Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase), Elliot et al., PlantMolec. Biol. 21: 515 (1993) (nucleotide sequences of tomato invertasegenes), Søgaard et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268: 22480 (1993) (site-directedmutagenesis of barley alpha-amylase gene), and Fisher et al., PlantPhysiol. 102: 1045 (1993) (maize endosperm starch branching enzyme II),WO 99/10498 (improved digestibility and/or starch extraction throughmodification of UDP-D-xylose 4-epimerase, Fragile 1 and 2, Ref1, HCHL,C4H), U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,529 (method of producing high oil seed bymodification of starch levels (AGP)). The fatty acid modification genesmentioned above may also be used to affect starch content and/orcomposition through the interrelationship of the starch and oilpathways.

(D) Altered antioxidant content or composition, such as alteration oftocopherol or tocotrienols. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,787,683,US2004/0034886 and WO 00/68393 involving the manipulation of antioxidantlevels through alteration of a phytl prenyl transferase (ppt), WO03/082899 through alteration of a homogentisate geranyl geranyltransferase (hggt).

(E) Altered essential seed amino acids. For example, see U.S. Pat. No.6,127,600 (method of increasing accumulation of essential amino acids inseeds), U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,913 (binary methods of increasingaccumulation of essential amino acids in seeds), U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,389(high lysine), WO99/40209 (alteration of amino acid compositions inseeds), WO99/29882 (methods for altering amino acid content ofproteins), U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,016 (alteration of amino acidcompositions in seeds), WO98/20133 (proteins with enhanced levels ofessential amino acids), U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,802 (high methionine), U.S.Pat. No. 5,885,801 (high threonine), U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,445 (plantamino acid biosynthetic enzymes), U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,019 (increasedlysine and threonine), U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,274 (plant tryptophansynthase beta subunit), U.S. Pat. No. 6,346,403 (methionine metabolicenzymes), U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,599 (high sulfur), U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,414(increased methionine), WO98/56935 (plant amino acid biosyntheticenzymes), WO98/45458 (engineered seed protein having higher percentageof essential amino acids), WO98/42831 (increased lysine), U.S. Pat. No.5,633,436 (increasing sulfur amino acid content), U.S. Pat. No.5,559,223 (synthetic storage proteins with defined structure containingprogrammable levels of essential amino acids for improvement of thenutritional value of plants), WO96/01905 (increased threonine),WO95/15392 (increased lysine), US2003/0163838, US2003/0150014,US2004/0068767, U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,498, WO01/79516, and WO00/009706(Ces A: cellulose synthase), U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,638 (hemicellulose),U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,859 and US2004/0025203 (UDPGdH), U.S. Pat. No.6,194,638 (RGP).

4. Genes that Control Male-Sterility:

There are several methods of conferring genetic male sterilityavailable, such as multiple mutant genes at separate locations withinthe genome that confer male sterility, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,654,465 and 4,727,219 to Brar et al. and chromosomal translocations asdescribed by Patterson in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,861,709 and 3,710,511. Inaddition to these methods, Albertsen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,068,describe a system of nuclear male sterility which includes: identifyinga gene which is critical to male fertility; silencing this native genewhich is critical to male fertility; removing the native promoter fromthe essential male fertility gene and replacing it with an induciblepromoter; inserting this genetically engineered gene back into theplant; and thus creating a plant that is male sterile because theinducible promoter is not “on” resulting in the male fertility gene notbeing transcribed. Fertility is restored by inducing, or turning “on”,the promoter, which in turn allows the gene that confers male fertilityto be transcribed.

(A) Introduction of a deacetylase gene under the control of atapetum-specific promoter and with the application of the chemicalN—Ac—PPT (WO 01/29237).

(B) Introduction of various stamen-specific promoters (WO 92/13956, WO92/13957).

(C) Introduction of the barnase and the barstar gene (Paul et al. PlantMol. Biol. 19:611-622, 1992).

For additional examples of nuclear male and female sterility systems andgenes, see also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,859,341; 6,297,426; 5,478,369;5,824,524; 5,850,014; and 6,265,640; all of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

5. Genes that create a site for site specific DNA integration. Thisincludes the introduction of FRT sites that may be used in the FLP/FRTsystem and/or Lox sites that may be used in the Cre/Loxp system. Forexample, see Lyznik, et al., Site-Specific Recombination for GeneticEngineering in Plants, Plant Cell Rep (2003) 21:925-932 and WO 99/25821which are hereby incorporated by reference. Other systems that may beused include the Gin recombinase of phage Mu (Maeser et al., 1991; VickiChandler, The Maize Handbook ch. 118 (Springer-Verlag 1994), the Pinrecombinase of E. coli (Enomoto et al., 1983), and the R/RS system ofthe pSR1 plasmid (Araki et al., 1992).6. Genes that affect abiotic stress resistance (including but notlimited to flowering, ear and seed development, enhancement of nitrogenutilization efficiency, altered nitrogen responsiveness, droughtresistance or tolerance, cold resistance or tolerance, and saltresistance or tolerance) and increased yield under stress. For example,see: WO 00/73475 where water use efficiency is altered throughalteration of malate; U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,009, U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,705,U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,305, U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,859, U.S. Pat. No.6,417,428, U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,446, U.S. Pat. No. 6,706,866, U.S. Pat.No. 6,717,034, U.S. Pat. No. 6,801,104, WO2000060089, WO2001026459,WO2001035725, WO2001034726, WO2001035727, WO2001036444, WO2001036597,WO2001036598, WO2002015675, WO2002017430, WO2002077185, WO2002079403,WO2003013227, WO2003013228, WO2003014327, WO2004031349, WO2004076638,WO9809521, and WO9938977 describing genes, including CBF genes andtranscription factors effective in mitigating the negative effects offreezing, high salinity, and drought on plants, as well as conferringother positive effects on plant phenotype; US2004/0148654 and WO01/36596where abscisic acid is altered in plants resulting in improved plantphenotype such as increased yield and/or increased tolerance to abioticstress; WO2000/006341, WO04/090143, U.S. application Ser. Nos.10/817,483 and 09/545,334 where cytokinin expression is modifiedresulting in plants with increased stress tolerance, such as droughttolerance, and/or increased yield. Also see WO0202776, WO2003052063,JP2002281975, U.S. Pat. No. 6,084,153, WO01 64898, U.S. Pat. No.6,177,275, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,107,547 (enhancement of nitrogenutilization and altered nitrogen responsiveness). For ethylenealteration, see US20040128719, US20030166197 and WO200032761. For planttranscription factors or transcriptional regulators of abiotic stress,see e.g. US20040098764 or US20040078852.

Other genes and transcription factors that affect plant growth andagronomic traits such as yield, flowering, plant growth and/or plantstructure, can be introduced or introgressed into plants, see e.g.WO97/49811 (LHY), WO98/56918 (ESD4), WO97/10339 and U.S. Pat. No.6,573,430 (TFL), U.S. Pat. No. 6,713,663 (FT), WO96/14414 (CON),WO96/38560, WO01/21822 (VRN1), WO00/44918 (VRN2), WO99/49064 (GI),WO00/46358 (FRI), WO97/29123, U.S. Pat. No. 6,794,560, U.S. Pat. No.6,307,126 (GAI), WO99/09174 (D8 and Rht), and WO2004076638 andWO2004031349 (transcription factors).

Using PHEKN to Develop Another Maize Plant

Inbred maize varieties such as PHEKN are typically developed for use inthe production of hybrid maize varieties. However, inbred varieties suchas PHEKN also provide a source of breeding material that may be used todevelop new maize inbred varieties. Plant breeding techniques known inthe art and used in a maize plant breeding program include, but are notlimited to, recurrent selection, mass selection, bulk selection, massselection, backcrossing, pedigree breeding, open pollination breeding,restriction fragment length polymorphism enhanced selection, geneticmarker enhanced selection, making double haploids, and transformation.Often combinations of these techniques are used. The development ofmaize hybrids in a maize plant breeding program requires, in general,the development of homozygous inbred varieties, the crossing of thesevarieties, and the evaluation of the crosses. There are many analyticalmethods available to evaluate the result of a cross. The oldest and mosttraditional method of analysis is the observation of phenotypic traitsbut genotypic analysis may also be used.

This invention is also directed to methods for producing a maize plantby crossing a first parent maize plant with a second parent maize plantwherein either the first or second parent maize plant is an inbred maizeplant of the variety PHEKN. The other parent may be any other maizeplant, such as another inbred variety or a plant that is part of asynthetic or natural population. Any such methods using the inbred maizevariety PHEKN are part of this invention: selfing, sibbing, backcrosses,mass selection, pedigree breeding, bulk selection, hybrid production,crosses to populations, and the like. These methods are well known inthe art and some of the more commonly used breeding methods aredescribed below. Descriptions of breeding methods can also be found inone of several reference books (e.g., Allard, Principles of PlantBreeding, 1960; Simmonds, Principles of Crop Improvement, 1979; Fehr,“Breeding Methods for Cultivar Development”, Production and Uses, 2^(nd)ed., Wilcox editor, 1987 the disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference).

Pedigree Breeding

Pedigree breeding starts with the crossing of two genotypes, such asPHEKN and one other elite inbred variety having one or more desirablecharacteristics that is lacking or which complements PHEKN. If the twooriginal parents do not provide all the desired characteristics, othersources can be included in the breeding population. In the pedigreemethod, superior plants are selfed and selected in successive filialgenerations. In the succeeding filial generations the heterozygouscondition gives way to homogeneous varieties as a result ofself-pollination and selection. Typically in the pedigree method ofbreeding, five or more successive filial generations of selfing andselection is practiced: F1→F2; F2→F3; F3→F4; F4→F5, etc. After asufficient amount of inbreeding, successive filial generations willserve to increase seed of the developed inbred. Preferably, the inbredvariety comprises homozygous alleles at about 95% or more of its loci.

In addition to being used to create a backcross conversion, backcrossingcan also be used in combination with pedigree breeding to modify PHEKNand a hybrid that is made using the modified PHEKN. As discussedpreviously, backcrossing can be used to transfer one or morespecifically desirable traits from one variety, the donor parent, to aninbred called the recurrent parent, which has overall good agronomiccharacteristics yet lacks that desirable trait or traits. However, thesame procedure can be used to move the progeny toward the genotype ofthe recurrent parent but at the same time retain many components of thenon-recurrent parent by stopping the backcrossing at an early stage andproceeding with selfing and selection. For example, an F1, such as acommercial hybrid, is created. This commercial hybrid may be backcrossedto one of its parent varieties to create a BC1 or BC2. Progeny areselfed and selected so that the newly developed inbred has many of theattributes of the recurrent parent and yet several of the desiredattributes of the non-recurrent parent. This approach leverages thevalue and strengths of the recurrent parent for use in new hybrids andbreeding.

Therefore, an embodiment of this invention is a method of obtaining amolecular marker profile of maize inbred variety PHEKN and using themolecular marker profile to select for a progeny plant with the desiredtrait and the molecular marker profile of PHEKN.

Recurrent Selection and Mass Selection

Recurrent selection is a method used in a plant breeding program toimprove a population of plants. PHEKN is suitable for use in a recurrentselection program. The method entails individual plants crosspollinating with each other to form progeny. The progeny are grown andthe superior progeny selected by any number of selection methods, whichinclude individual plant, half-sib progeny, full-sib progeny, selfedprogeny and topcrossing. The selected progeny are cross pollinated witheach other to form progeny for another population. This population isplanted and again superior plants are selected to cross pollinate witheach other. Recurrent selection is a cyclical process and therefore canbe repeated as many times as desired. The objective of recurrentselection is to improve the traits of a population. The improvedpopulation can then be used as a source of breeding material to obtaininbred varieties to be used in hybrids or used as parents for asynthetic cultivar. A synthetic cultivar is the resultant progeny formedby the intercrossing of several selected inbreds.

PHEKN is suitable for use in mass selection. Mass selection is a usefultechnique when used in conjunction with molecular marker enhancedselection. In mass selection seeds from individuals are selected basedon phenotype and/or genotype. These selected seeds are then bulked andused to grow the next generation. Bulk selection requires growing apopulation of plants in a bulk plot, allowing the plants toself-pollinate, harvesting the seed in bulk and then using a sample ofthe seed harvested in bulk to plant the next generation. Instead of selfpollination, directed pollination could be used as part of the breedingprogram.

Mutation Breeding

Mutation breeding is one of many methods that could be used to introducenew traits into PHEKN. PHEKN is suitable for use in a mutation breedingprogram. Mutations that occur spontaneously or are artificially inducedcan be useful sources of variability for a plant breeder. The goal ofartificial mutagenesis is to increase the rate of mutation for a desiredcharacteristic. Mutation rates can be increased by many different meansincluding temperature, long-term seed storage, tissue cultureconditions, radiation; such as X-rays, Gamma rays (e.g. cobalt 60 orcesium 137), neutrons, (product of nuclear fission by uranium 235 in anatomic reactor), Beta radiation (emitted from radioisotopes such asphosphorus 32 or carbon 14), or ultraviolet radiation (preferably from2500 to 2900 nm), or chemical mutagens (such as base analogues(5-bromo-uracil), related compounds (8-ethoxy caffeine), antibiotics(streptonigrin), alkylating agents (sulfur mustards, nitrogen mustards,epoxides, ethylenamines, sulfates, sulfonates, sulfones, lactones),azide, hydroxylamine, nitrous acid, or acridines. Once a desired traitis observed through mutagenesis the trait may then be incorporated intoexisting germplasm by traditional breeding techniques, such asbackcrossing. Details of mutation breeding can be found in “Principlesof Cultivar Development” Fehr, 1993 Macmillan Publishing Company, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In addition,mutations created in other varieties may be used to produce a backcrossconversion of PHEKN that comprises such mutation.

Breeding with Molecular Markers

Molecular markers, which includes markers identified through the use oftechniques such as Isozyme Electrophoresis, Restriction Fragment LengthPolymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs),Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNA AmplificationFingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs),Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), Simple Sequence Repeats(SSRs) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), may be used in plantbreeding methods utilizing PHEKN.

Isozyme Electrophoresis and RFLPs as discussed in Lee, M., “Inbred Linesof Maize and Their Molecular Markers,” The Maize Handbook,(Springer-Verlag, New York, Inc. 1994, at 423-432), have been widelyused to determine genetic composition. Isozyme Electrophoresis has arelatively low number of available markers and a low number of allelicvariants among maize inbreds. RFLPs allow more discrimination becausethey have a higher degree of allelic variation in maize and a largernumber of markers can be found. Both of these methods have been eclipsedby SSRs as discussed in Smith et al., “An evaluation of the utility ofSSR loci as molecular markers in maize (Zea mays L.): comparisons withdata from RFLPs and pedigree”, Theoretical and Applied Genetics (1997)vol. 95 at 163-173 and by Pejic et al., “Comparative analysis of geneticsimilarity among maize inbreds detected by RFLPs, RAPDs, SSRs, andAFLPs,” Theoretical and Applied Genetics (1998) at 1248-1255incorporated herein by reference. SSR technology is more efficient andpractical to use than RFLPs; more marker loci can be routinely used andmore alleles per marker locus can be found using SSRs in comparison toRFLPs. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms may also be used to identify theunique genetic composition of the invention and progeny varietiesretaining that unique genetic composition. Various molecular markertechniques may be used in combination to enhance overall resolution.

Maize DNA molecular marker linkage maps have been rapidly constructedand widely implemented in genetic studies. One such study is describedin Boppenmaier, et al., “Comparisons among strains of inbreds forRFLPs”, Maize Genetics Cooperative Newsletter, 65:1991, pg. 90, isincorporated herein by reference.

One use of molecular markers is Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping.QTL mapping is the use of markers, which are known to be closely linkedto alleles that have measurable effects on a quantitative trait.Selection in the breeding process is based upon the accumulation ofmarkers linked to the positive effecting alleles and/or the eliminationof the markers linked to the negative effecting alleles from the plant'sgenome.

Molecular markers can also be used to reduce the number of crosses backto the recurrent parent needed in a backcrossing program. Withbackcrossing, the expected contribution of PHEKN after 2, 3, 4 and 5doses (or 1, 2, 3 and 4 backcrosses) would be 75%, 87.5%, 93.75% and96.875% respectively. Actual genetic contribution may be much higherthan the genetic contribution expected by pedigree, especially ifmolecular markers are used in selection. The use of molecular markers inthe selection process is often called genetic marker enhanced selection.Molecular markers could also be used to confirm and/or determine thepedigree of the progeny variety.

Production of Double Haploids

The production of double haploids can also be used for the developmentof inbreds in the breeding program. For example, an F1 hybrid for whichPHEKN is a parent can be used to produce double haploid plants. Doublehaploids are produced by the doubling of a set of chromosomes (1N) froma heterozygous plant to produce a completely homozygous individual. Forexample, see Wan et al., “Efficient Production of Doubled Haploid PlantsThrough Colchicine Treatment of Anther-Derived Maize Callus”,Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 77:889-892, 1989 and US2003/0005479.This can be advantageous because the process omits the generations ofselfing needed to obtain a homozygous plant from a heterozygous source.

Haploid induction systems have been developed for various plants toproduce haploid tissues, plants and seeds. The haploid induction systemcan produce haploid plants from any genotype by crossing a selectedvariety (as female) with an inducer variety. Such inducer varieties formaize include Stock 6 (Coe, 1959, Am. Nat. 93:381-382; Sharkar and Coe,1966, Genetics 54:453-464) RWS (see world wide web sitewww.uni-hohenheim.de/%7Eipspwww/350b/indexe.html#Project3), KEMS(Deimling, Roeber, and Geiger, 1997, Vortr. Pflanzenzuchtg 38:203-224),or KMS and ZMS (Chalyk, Bylich & Chebotar, 1994, MNL 68:47; Chalyk &Chebotar, 2000, Plant Breeding 119:363-364), and indeterminategametophyte (ig) mutation (Kermicle 1969 Science 166:1422-1424). Thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Methods for obtaining haploid plants are also disclosed in Kobayashi, M.et al., Journ. of Heredity 71(1):9-14, 1980, Pollacsek, M., Agronomie(Paris) 12(3):247-251, 1992; Cho-Un-Haing et al., Journ. of Plant Biol.,1996, 39(3):185-188; Verdoodt, L., et al., February 1998, 96(2):294-300;Genetic Manipulation in Plant Breeding, Proceedings InternationalSymposium Organized by EUCARPIA, Sep. 8-13, 1985, Berlin, Germany;Chalyk et al., 1994, Maize Genet Coop. Newsletter 68:47; Chalyk, S. T.,1999, Maize Genet. Coop. Newsletter 73:53-54; Coe, R. H., 1959, Am. Nat.93:381-382; Deimling, S. et al., 1997, Vortr. Pflanzenzuchtg 38:203-204;Kato, A., 1999, J. Hered. 90:276-280; Lashermes, P. et al., 1988, Theor.Appl. Genet. 76:570-572 and 76:405-410; Tyrnov, V. S. et al., 1984,Dokl. Akad. Nauk. SSSR 276:735-738; Zabirova, E. R. et al., 1996,Kukuruza I Sorgo N4, 17-19; Aman, M. A., 1978, Indian J. Genet PlantBreed 38:452-457; Chalyk S. T., 1994, Euphytica 79:13-18; Chase, S. S.,1952, Agron. J. 44:263-267; Coe, E. H., 1959, Am. Nat. 93:381-382; Coe,E. H., and Sarkar, K. R., 1964 J. Hered. 55:231-233; Greenblatt, I. M.and Bock, M., 1967, J. Hered. 58:9-13; Kato, A., 1990, Maize Genet.Coop. Newsletter 65:109-110; Kato, A., 1997, Sex. Plant Reprod.10:96-100; Nanda, D. K. and Chase, S. S., 1966, Crop Sci. 6:213-215;Sarkar, K. R. and Coe, E. H., 1966, Genetics 54:453-464; Sarkar, K. R.and Coe, E. H., 1971, Crop Sci. 11:543-544; Sarkar, K. R. and Sachan J.K. S., 1972, Indian J. Agric. Sci. 42:781-786; Kermicle J. L., 1969,Mehta Yeshwant, M. R., Genetics and Molecular Biology, September 2000,23(3):617-622; Tahir, M. S. et al. Pakistan Journal of Scientific andIndustrial Research, August 2000, 43(4):258-261; Knox, R. E. et al.Plant Breeding, August 2000, 119(4):289-298; U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,951 andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/121,200, the disclosures of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

Thus, an embodiment of this invention is a process for making ahomozygous PHEKN progeny plant substantially similar to PHEKN byproducing or obtaining a seed from the cross of PHEKN and another maizeplant and applying double haploid methods to the F1 seed or F1 plant orto any successive filial generation. Such methods decrease the number ofgenerations required to produce an inbred with similar genetics orcharacteristics to PHEKN. See Bernardo, R. and Kahler, A. L., Theor.Appl. Genet. 102:986-992, 2001.

In particular, a process of making seed substantially retaining themolecular marker profile of maize inbred variety PHEKN is contemplated,such process comprising obtaining or producing F1 hybrid seed for whichmaize inbred variety PHEKN is a parent, inducing double haploids tocreate progeny without the occurrence of meiotic segregation, obtainingthe molecular marker profile of maize inbred variety PHEKN, andselecting progeny that retain the molecular marker profile of PHEKN.

Use of PHEKN in Tissue Culture

This invention is also directed to the use of PHEKN in tissue culture.As used herein, the term “tissue culture” includes plant protoplasts,plant cell tissue culture, cultured microspores, plant calli, plantclumps, and the like. As used herein, phrases such as “growing the seed”or “grown from the seed” include embryo rescue, isolation of cells fromseed for use in tissue culture, as well as traditional growing methods.

Duncan, Williams, Zehr, and Widholm, Planta (1985) 165:322-332 reflectsthat 97% of the plants cultured that produced callus were capable ofplant regeneration. Subsequent experiments with both inbreds and hybridsproduced 91% regenerable callus that produced plants. In a further studyin 1988, Songstad, Duncan & Widholm in Plant Cell Reports (1988),7:262-265 reports several media additions that enhance regenerability ofcallus of two inbred varieties. Other published reports also indicatedthat “nontraditional” tissues are capable of producing somaticembryogenesis and plant regeneration. K. P. Rao, et al., Maize GeneticsCooperation Newsletter, 60:64-65 (1986), refers to somatic embryogenesisfrom glume callus cultures and B. V. Conger, et al., Plant Cell Reports,6:345-347 (1987) indicates somatic embryogenesis from the tissuecultures of maize leaf segments. Thus, it is clear from the literaturethat the state of the art is such that these methods of obtaining plantsare, and were, “conventional” in the sense that they are routinely usedand have a very high rate of success.

Tissue culture of maize, including tassel/anther culture, is describedin U.S. 2002/0062506A1 and European Patent Application, publicationEP0160,390, each of which are incorporated herein by reference for thispurpose. Maize tissue culture procedures are also described in Green andRhodes, “Plant Regeneration in Tissue Culture of Maize,” Maize forBiological Research (Plant Molecular Biology Association,Charlottesville, Va. 1982, at 367-372) and in Duncan, et al., “TheProduction of Callus Capable of Plant Regeneration from Immature Embryosof Numerous Zea Mays Genotypes,” 165 Planta 322-332 (1985). Thus,another aspect of this invention is to provide cells which upon growthand differentiation produce maize plants having the genotype and/orphysiological and morphological characteristics of inbred variety PHEKN.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Maize is used as human food, livestock feed, and as raw material inindustry. The food uses of maize, in addition to human consumption ofmaize kernels, include both products of dry- and wet-milling industries.The principal products of maize dry milling are grits, meal and flour.The maize wet-milling industry can provide maize starch, maize syrups,and dextrose for food use. Maize oil is recovered from maize germ, whichis a by-product of both dry- and wet-milling industries.

Maize, including both grain and non-grain portions of the plant, is alsoused extensively as livestock feed, primarily for beef cattle, dairycattle, hogs, and poultry.

Industrial uses of maize include production of ethanol, maize starch inthe wet-milling industry and maize flour in the dry-milling industry.The industrial applications of maize starch and flour are based onfunctional properties, such as viscosity, film formation, adhesiveproperties, and ability to suspend particles. The maize starch and flourhave application in the paper and textile industries. Other industrialuses include applications in adhesives, building materials, foundrybinders, laundry starches, explosives, oil-well muds, and other miningapplications.

Plant parts other than the grain of maize are also used in industry: forexample, stalks and husks are made into paper and wallboard and cobs areused for fuel and to make charcoal.

The seed of inbred maize variety PHEKN, the plant produced from theinbred seed, the hybrid maize plant produced from the crossing of theinbred, hybrid seed, and various parts of the hybrid maize plant andtransgenic versions of the foregoing, can be utilized for human food,livestock feed, and as a raw material in industry.

REFERENCES

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Applicant has made a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of Inbred MaizeVariety PHEKN with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC),Manassas, Va. 20110 USA, ATCC Deposit No. PTA-10201. The seeds depositedwith the ATCC on Jul. 10, 2009 were taken from the deposit maintained byPioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., 7250 NW 62^(nd) Avenue, Johnston,Iowa, 50131 since prior to the filing date of this application. Accessto this deposit will be available during the pendency of the applicationto the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks and persons determined bythe Commissioner to be entitled thereto upon request. Upon allowance ofany claims in the application, the Applicant will make the depositavailable to the public pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §1.808. This deposit ofthe Inbred Maize Variety PHEKN will be maintained in the ATCCdepository, which is a public depository, for a period of 30 years, or 5years after the most recent request, or for the enforceable life of thepatent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomesnonviable during that period. Additionally, Applicant has or willsatisfy all of the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §§1.801-1.809, includingproviding an indication of the viability of the sample upon deposit.Applicant has no authority to waive any restrictions imposed by law onthe transfer of biological material or its transportation in commerce.Applicant does not waive any infringement of rights granted under thispatent or under the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 USC 2321 et seq.).U.S. Plant Variety Protection of Inbred Maize Variety PHEKN has beenapplied for. Unauthorized seed multiplication prohibited.

TABLE 1 VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION PHEKN 1. TYPE: (Describeintermediate types in comments section) AVG STDEV N 1 = Sweet, 2 = Dent,3 = Flint, 4 = Flour, 5 = Pop and 3 6 = Ornamental. Comments: Flint-Dent2. MATURITY: DAYS HEAT UNITS Days H. Units Emergence to 50% of plants insilk 58 1,299 Emergence to 50% of plants in pollen shed 58 1,300 10% to90% pollen shed 2 44 50% Silk to harvest at 25% moisture 3. PLANT: PlantHeight (to tassel tip) (cm) 215.0 14.23 25 Ear Height (to base of topear node) (cm) 81.4 11.93 25 Length of Top Ear Internode (cm) 14.9 1.8325 Average Number of Tillers per Plant 0.0 0.02 5 Average Number of Earsper Stalk 1.1 0.09 5 Anthocyanin of Brace Roots: 1 = Absent, 2 = Faint,1 3 = Moderate, 4 = Dark 4. LEAF: Width of Ear Node Leaf (cm) 9.0 0.6125 Length of Ear Node Leaf (cm) 75.8 4.59 25 Number of Leaves above TopEar 5.9 0.64 25 Leaf Angle: (at anthesis, 2nd leaf above ear to 24.03.40 25 stalk above leaf) (Degrees) * Leaf Color: V. Dark Green Munsell:5GY36 Leaf Sheath Pubescence: 1 = none to 9 = like peach fuzz 4 5.TASSEL: Number of Primary Lateral Branches 3.0 1.17 25 Branch Angle fromCentral Spike 22.5 6.86 25 Tassel Length: (from peduncle node to tasseltip), (cm). 52.4 4.96 25 Pollen Shed: 0 = male sterile, 9 = heavy shed4 * Anther Color: Pale Yellow Munsell: 10YR76 * Glume Color: Med. GreenMunsell: 5GY66 * Bar Glumes (glume bands): 1 = absent, 2 = present 1Peduncle Length: (from top leaf node to lower florets or 19.3 2.65 25branches), (cm). 6a. EAR (Unhusked ear) * Silk color: Light GreenMunsell: 2.5GY88 (3 days after silk emergence) * Fresh husk color: Med.Green Munsell: 5GY66 * Dry husk color: Buff Munsell: 2.5Y84 (65 daysafter 50% silking) Ear position at dry husk stage: 1 = upright, 2 =horizontal, 2 3 = pendant Husk Tightness: (1 = very loose, 9 = verytight) 5 Husk Extension (at harvest): 1 = short(ears exposed), 2 2 =medium (<8 cm), 3 = long (8–10 cm), 4 = v. long (>10 cm) 6b. EAR (Huskedear data) Ear Length (cm): 16.8 1.11 25 Ear Diameter at mid-point (mm)40.3 1.59 25 Ear Weight (gm): 131.8 13.41 25 Number of Kernel Rows: 13.81.62 25 Kernel Rows: 1 = indistinct, 2 = distinct 2 Row Alignment: 1 =straight, 2 = slightly curved, 3 = spiral 2 Shank Length (cm): 8.2 1.3925 Ear Taper: 1 = slight cylind., 2 = average, 3 = extreme conic. 2 7.KERNEL (Dried): Kernel Length (mm): 10.9 0.64 25 Kernel Width (mm): 8.20.65 25 Kernel Thickness (mm): 5.2 0.78 25 Round Kernels (shape grade)(%) 61.0 3.81 5 Aleurone Color Pattern: 1 = homozygous, 2 = segregating1 * Aleurone Color: Yellow Munsell: 1.25Y812 * Hard Endo. Color: YellowMunsell: 10YR814 Endosperm Type: 3 1 = sweet (su1), 2 = extra sweet(sh2), 3 = normal starch, 4 = high amylose starch, 5 = waxy starch, 6 =high protein, 7 = high lysine, 8 = super sweet (se), 9 = high oil, 10 =other Weight per 100 Kernels (unsized sample) (gm): 30.2 1.92 5 8.COB: * Cob Diameter at mid-point (mm): 21.2 1.22 25 * Cob Color: PinkOrange Munsell: 2.5YR48 10. DISEASE RESISTANCE: (Rate from 1 =most-susceptable to 9 = most-resistant. Leave blank if not tested, leaverace or strain options blank if polygenic.) A. LEAF BLIGHTS, WILTS, ANDLOCAL INFECTION DISEASES Anthracnose Leaf Blight (Colletotrichumgraminicola) 5 Common Rust (Puccinia sorghi) Common Smut (Ustilagomaydis) Eyespot (Kabatiella zeae) Goss's Wilt (Clavibacter michiganensespp. 5 Gray Leaf Spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis) Helminthosporium LeafSpot (Bipolaris zeicola) Race: 6 Northern Leaf Blight (Exserohilumturcicum) Race: Southern Leaf Blight (Bipolaris maydis) Race: SouthernRust (Puccinia polysora) 5 Stewart's Wilt (Erwinia stewartii) Other(Specify):                 B. SYSTEMIC DISEASES Corn Lethal Necrosis(MCMV and MDMV) 5 Head Smut (Sphacelotheca reiliana) (% infected) MaizeChlorotic Dwarf Virus (MDV) Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV) MaizeDwarf Mosaic Virus (MDMV) Sorghum Downy Mildew of Corn(Peronosclerospora sorghi) Other (Specify):                 C. STALKROTS Anthracnose Stalk Rot (Colletotrichum graminicola) Diplodia StalkRot (Stenocarpella maydis) Fusarium Stalk Rot (Fusarium moniliforme)Gibberella Stalk Rot (Gibberella zeae) Other (Specify):                D. EAR AND KERNEL ROTS Aspergillus Ear and Kernel Rot (Aspergillusflavus) 6 Diplodia Ear Rot (Stenocarpella maydis) 6 Fusarium Ear andKernel Rot (Fusarium moniliforme) Gibberella Ear Rot (Gibberella zeae)Other (Specify):                 11. INSECT RESISTANCE: (Rate from 1 =most-suscept. to 9 = most-resist., leave blank if not tested.) Corn Worm(Helicoverpa zea)     Leaf Feeding     Silk Feeding     Ear Damage CornLeaf Aphid (Rophalosiphum maydis) Corn Sap Beetle (Capophilusdimidiatus) European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) 1st. Generation(Typically whorl leaf feeding) 2nd. Generation (Typically leafsheath-collar feeding)     Stalk Tunneling     cm tunneled/plant Fallarmyworm (Spodoptera fruqiperda)     Leaf Feeding     Silk Feeding    mg larval wt. Maize Weevil (Sitophilus zeamaize) Northern Rootworm(Diabrotica barberi) Southern Rootworm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata)Southwestern Corn Borer (Diatreaea grandiosella)     Leaf Feeding    Stalk Tunneling     cm tunneled/plant Two-spotted Spider Mite(Tetranychus utricae) Western Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifrea virgifrea)Other (Specify):                 12. AGRONOMIC TRAITS: 6 Staygreen (at65 days after anthesis; rate from 1-worst to 9-excellent) % Dropped Ears(at 65 days after anthesis) % Pre-anthesis Brittle Snapping 4 %Pre-anthesis Root Lodging 3 % Post-anthesis Root Lodging (at 65 daysafter anthesis) % Post-anthesis Stalk Lodging 5,817.0 Kg/ha (Yield at12–13% grain moisture) *Munsell Glossy Book of color, (A standard colorreference). Kollmorgen Inst. Corp. New Windsor, NY.

TABLE 2 SSR Marker Profile for PHEKN. Marker Name Chromosome LocationBase Pairs BNLG1014 1 82.8 125.2 PHI427913 1 108.3 130.3 BNLG1429 1143.5 197.9 BNLG1127 1 167.5 115.8 BNLG1953 1 170 252.7 BNLG1064 1 201.3223.1 BNLG439 1 259.1 234.6 PHI339017 1 270.6 146.6 BNLG1016 1 291.7253.1 BNLG1886 1 377.2 146.8 BNLG2086 1 401.2 220.0 BNLG1615 1 557.6237.4 BNLG1556 1 658.6 205.2 PHI423298 1 721.9 134.4 PHI323065 1 777.4329.8 PHI335539 1 805.3 89.1 BNLG1720 1 834.5 238.1 PHI011 1 839.3 228.5BNLG1331 1 847 143.3 PHI308707 1 927.4 132.2 PHI265454 1 973 236.2PHI227562 1 1097.4 314.3 PHI064 1 1103 96.2 PHI402893 2 3.8 219.3PHI96100 2 28.1 285.9 BNLG1017 2 65.7 196.3 BNLG1019 2 227.1 191.1BNLG1909 2 270.7 304.5 PHI083 2 284.7 132.3 BNLG1831 2 368.8 194.6BNLG1396 2 372.8 138.0 BNLG1141 2 374.9 154.3 BNLG1138 2 379.2 223.2PHI127 2 422.7 110.1 PHI251315 2 453.8 125.1 PHI435417 2 520.5 218.8PHI090 2 548.3 139.1 BNLG1940 2 577.6 215.2 BNLG1520 2 605.8 286.7PHI101049 2 712.1 239.5 PHI427434 2 712.1 131.5 PHI404206 3 11 304.1BNLG1647 3 103.3 138.6 PHI243966 3 163.8 209.1 PHI374118 3 168 226.3BNLG1452 3 190.8 126.3 PHI029 3 192.3 147.7 PHI053 3 297.9 167.5BNLG1951 3 481.6 121.8 BNLG1160 3 491.4 221.4 PHI295450 4 81 197.8PHI213984 4 130.1 285.7 BNLG1937 4 232 228.7 PHI096 4 232.2 235.5 PHI0794 254 188.1 BNLG1265 4 268.4 222.3 BNLG1755 4 299.9 241.7 PHI438301 4452.9 212.8 PHI093 4 522.1 287.3 PHI314704 4 655 127.2 PHI396160 5 307302.1 PHI331888 5 324.3 131.2 PHI330507 5 389.9 142.4 BNLG1711 5 666.5177.0 PHI423796 6 72.7 129.7 PHI389203 6 269.8 306.7 PHI452693 6 278124.0 PHI445613 6 375.8 98.3 PHI364545 6 428.4 132.7 PHI299852 6 450.7118.2 BNLG2271 7 383.8 221.5 PHI328175 7 472.9 122.7 PHI260485 7 586.6285.9 PHI420701 8 99.6 290.3 PHI100175 8 274.9 146.5 PHI233376 8 609.1153.7 PHI448880 9 536.8 177.7 PHI236654 9 538.5 118.5 BNLG1129 9 633.6301.5 PHI059 10 143.5 154.4 PHI301654 10 309 129.2 PHI323152 10 468.4141.2 BNLG1450 10 483.7 178.2 BNLG1185 10 529.1 234.7

TABLE 3A PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON REPORT Variety #1: PHEKN Variety #2:PH4GP YIELD BU/ GLFSPT YIELD NLFBLT MST A 56# SCORE BU/A 56# SCORE PCTGOSWLT Stat ABS ABS % MN ABS ABS SCORE ABS Mean1 96.7 5.1 99.8 5.7 22.27.7 Mean2 82.8 3.8 85.6 6.2 25.5 7.5 Locs 33 9 33 5 36 3 Reps 63 13 63 966 6 Diff 13.9 1.3 14.2 −0.5 3.3 0.2 Prob 0.000 0.000 0.001 0.142 0.0000.742 TSTWT LB/ FUSERS EGRWTH STWWLT GIBERS BU SCORE SCORE SCORE SCOREESTCNT Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS COUNT ABS Mean1 60.5 5.0 6.8 4.7 5.830.5 Mean2 60.4 5.8 5.5 5.0 5.3 26.8 Locs 3 6 14 3 2 28 Reps 6 9 14 3 430 Diff 0.1 −0.8 1.3 −0.3 0.5 3.7 Prob 0.864 0.203 0.001 0.423 0.5000.001 DIPERS TILLER ANTROT GDUSHD GDUSLK SCORE PCT SCORE GDU GDU GIBROTStat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS SCORE ABS Mean1 6.0 6.8 2.5 136.0 135.6 6.5Mean2 3.7 3.1 8.0 138.6 138.3 3.5 Locs 3 34 1 77 76 2 Reps 6 34 2 77 764 Diff 2.3 −3.7 −5.5 −2.6 −2.7 3.0 Prob 0.060 0.198 . 0.000 0.000 0.205HDSMT TASBLS TASSZ PLTHT COMRST % NOT SCORE SCORE CM SCORE EARHT CM StatABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 88.9 9.0 3.6 223.6 5.5 88.5 Mean2 89.2 9.02.1 223.5 5.9 82.7 Locs 4 1 63 48 5 30 Reps 7 1 63 48 6 30 Diff −0.4 0.01.6 0.1 −0.4 5.8 Prob 0.910 . 0.000 0.972 0.648 0.054 STAGRN BRTSTKSCTGRN TEXEAR STLLPN BARPLT % SCORE % NOT SCORE SCORE % NOT NOT Stat ABSABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 5.2 99.0 7.3 3.5 65.0 94.7 Mean2 5.1 97.1 6.34.5 40.0 94.9 Locs 12 1 4 2 1 39 Reps 12 2 4 2 2 43 Diff 0.1 1.9 1.0−1.0 25.0 −0.3 Prob 0.920 . 0.423 1.000 . 0.868 LRTLPN CLDTST ERTLPNSTKLDG CLDTST % NOT PCT % NOT % NOT PCT Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS % MN Mean198.8 96.0 92.5 100.0 100.9 Mean2 87.5 91.6 82.5 100.0 96.1 Locs 2 18 2 118 Reps 3 18 3 2 18 Diff 11.3 4.4 10.0 0.0 4.8 Prob 0.126 0.033 1.000 .0.035

TABLE 3B PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON REPORT Variety #1: PHEKN Variety #2:PH7CH YIELD GLFSPT YIELD NLFBLT BU/A 56# SCORE BU/A 56# SCORE MST PCTTSTWT LB/ Stat ABS ABS % MN ABS ABS BU ABS Mean1 91.9 4.6 89.1 5.7 21.760.8 Mean2 88.8 4.3 85.5 6.7 22.9 55.5 Locs 15 7 15 3 15 2 Reps 29 10 295 29 4 Diff 3.1 0.4 3.6 −1.0 1.2 5.3 Prob 0.560 0.454 0.492 0.225 0.1750.127 FUSERS EGRWTH STWWLT ESTCNT DIPERS SCORE SCORE SCORE COUNT SCORETILLER Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS PCT ABS Mean1 6.3 6.8 4.0 37.8 5.0 8.3Mean2 5.8 5.9 7.0 36.5 5.5 1.5 Locs 6 16 2 32 1 28 Reps 7 19 2 36 2 30Diff 0.6 0.9 −3.0 1.3 −0.5 −6.8 Prob 0.220 0.002 0.205 0.041 . 0.084ANTROT GDUSHD GDUSLK GIBROT TASBLS SCORE GDU GDU SCORE HDSMT % SCOREStat ABS ABS ABS ABS NOT ABS ABS Mean1 4.0 134.9 134.4 5.0 100.0 9.0Mean2 2.0 135.6 134.5 1.3 100.0 9.0 Locs 1 90 88 2 2 1 Reps 2 90 88 4 41 Diff 2.0 −0.7 0.0 3.8 0.0 0.0 Prob . 0.117 0.922 0.403 1.000 . TASSZPLTHT COMRST EARHT STAGRN SCTGRN SCORE CM SCORE CM SCORE SCORE Stat ABSABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 3.8 220.4 5.8 90.5 6.0 7.9 Mean2 3.8 204.2 6.771.2 4.8 8.3 Locs 74 60 6 35 12 9 Reps 74 60 7 35 12 9 Diff 0.0 16.2−0.9 19.3 1.2 −0.4 Prob 0.898 0.000 0.177 0.000 0.041 0.169 STLPCNTEXEAR BARPLT LRTLPN ERTLPN % NOT SCORE % NOT % NOT CLDTST % Stat ABSABS ABS ABS PCT ABS NOT ABS Mean1 100.0 3.5 94.0 100.0 94.2 95.0 Mean2100.0 1.5 93.9 100.0 86.3 100.0 Locs 1 2 42 1 12 3 Reps 1 2 48 2 12 4Diff 0.0 2.0 0.1 0.0 7.9 −5.0 Prob . 1.000 0.963 . 0.006 0.423 StatCLDTST PCT % MN HSKCVR SCORE ABS Mean1 101.3 7.0 Mean2 92.7 Locs 12 Reps12 Diff 8.7 Prob 0.006

TABLE 4 GENERAL COMBINING ABILITY REPORT FOR PHEKN PRM Day ABS Mean 103PRM Day ABS Reps 2973 PRMSHD Day ABS Mean 103 PRMSHD Day ABS Reps 2546YIELD bu/a 56# ABS Mean 187.8 YIELD bu/a 56# ABS Reps 1770 YIELD bu/a56# ABS Years 3 YIELD bu/a 56# % MN Mean 99.96 YIELD bu/a 56# % MN Reps1770 MST pct ABS Mean 20.5 MST pct ABS Reps 1784 MST pct % MN Mean 97.6MST pct % MN Reps 1784 YLDMST ABS Mean 102.3 YLDMST ABS Reps 1781 STLPCN% NOT % MN Mean 108 STLPCN % NOT % MN Reps 170 STLLPN % NOT % MN Mean109 STLLPN % NOT % MN Reps 349 ERTLPN % NOT % MN Mean 108 ERTLPN % NOT %MN Reps 113 LRTLPN % NOT % MN Mean 105 LRTLPN % NOT % MN Reps 290 TSTWTlb/bu % MN Mean 101.1 TSTWT lb/bu % MN Reps 1161 STKCNT count % MN Mean100 STKCNT count % MN Reps 2739 PLTHT in % MN Mean 100 PLTHT in % MNReps 729 EARHT in % MN Mean 101 EARHT in % MN Reps 728 BRTSTK % NOT % MNMean 102 BRTSTK % NOT % MN Reps 94 BRLPNE % NOT % MN Mean 155 BRLPNE %NOT % MN Reps 24 BRLPNL % NOT % MN Mean 115 BRLPNL % NOT % MN Reps 18GLFSPT score ABS Mean 5 GLFSPT score ABS Reps 122 STAGRN score ABS Mean5 STAGRN score ABS Reps 448 HSKCVR score ABS Mean 5 HSKCVR score ABSReps 60 ECBLSI score ABS Mean 7 ECBLSI score ABS Reps 4

TABLE 5A HYBRID COMPARISON Variety #1: HYBRID CONTAINING PHEKN Variety#2: 33N09 YIELD GLFSPT YIELD NLFBLT BU/A 56# SCORE BU/A 56# SCORE SLFBLTMST PCT Stat ABS ABS % MN ABS SCORE ABS ABS Mean1 202.2 5.7 105.0 4.94.5 21.0 Mean2 198.9 5.4 103.2 5.6 5.0 22.2 Locs 111 8 111 7 1 111 Reps157 13 157 10 1 157 Diff 3.3 0.3 1.8 −0.8 −0.5 1.2 Prob 0.177 0.2170.196 0.002 . 0.000 TSTWT ANTROT EGRWTH FUSERS GIBERS LB/BU SCORE SCORESCORE ESTCNT SCORE Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS COUNT ABS ABS Mean1 55.7 4.2 6.64.0 49.7 7.5 Mean2 57.0 3.5 6.0 5.8 39.7 8.0 Locs 78 3 10 3 5 1 Reps 1085 12 8 7 2 Diff −1.3 0.7 0.6 −1.8 10.0 −0.5 Prob 0.000 0.547 0.058 0.1110.028 . STKCNT DIPERS GDUSHD GDUSLK COUNT SCORE GDU GDU PLTHT CM EARHTCM Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 54.8 4.8 132.6 130.5 315.9 124.3Mean2 54.5 4.0 140.0 139.2 336.1 144.0 Locs 157 4 24 21 30 29 Reps 270 838 32 43 41 Diff 0.4 0.8 −7.4 −8.8 −20.2 −19.7 Prob 0.014 0.297 0.0000.000 0.000 0.000 STAGRN GIBROT HDSMT STLLPN ERTLPN SCORE SCORE % NOT %NOT STLPCN % NOT Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS % NOT ABS ABS Mean1 5.5 6.5 98.287.4 82.5 77.1 Mean2 4.8 4.0 88.3 76.3 67.9 71.3 Locs 23 1 6 18 11 4Reps 33 2 14 37 13 6 Diff 0.7 2.5 9.9 11.1 14.6 5.9 Prob 0.044 . 0.0060.010 0.151 0.853 ECBLSI LRTLPN BRTSTK HSKCVR SCORE % NOT % NOT SCOREStat ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 6.2 73.2 99.1 5.4 Mean2 3.8 52.3 96.5 4.2Locs 9 11 7 8 Reps 10 16 13 10 Diff 2.4 20.9 2.6 1.2 Prob 0.000 0.0920.269 0.068

TABLE 5B HYBRID COMPARISON Variety #1: HYBRID CONTAINING PHEKN Variety#2: 33D11 YIELD GLFSPT YIELD NLFBLT BU/A 56# SCORE BU/A 56# SCORE SLFBLTMST PCT Stat ABS ABS % MN ABS SCORE ABS ABS Mean1 195.6 5.6 103.5 4.94.5 20.5 Mean2 192.3 4.4 102.3 6.4 4.0 21.8 Locs 75 7 75 7 1 75 Reps 8311 83 10 1 83 Diff 3.2 1.2 1.2 −1.5 0.5 1.2 Prob 0.217 0.015 0.439 0.006. 0.000 TSTWT STWWLT ANTROT EGRWTH ESTCNT LB/BU SCORE SCORE SCORE FUSERSCOUNT Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS SCORE ABS ABS Mean1 55.5 7.0 4.2 6.8 4.0 49.7Mean2 55.3 6.0 3.3 4.4 5.5 47.1 Locs 55 1 3 8 2 5 Reps 62 1 5 8 4 7 Diff0.1 1.0 0.8 2.4 −1.5 2.6 Prob 0.512 . 0.338 0.000 0.374 0.217 GIBERSSTKCNT DIPERS GDUSHD PLTHT SCORE COUNT SCORE GDU GDUSLK CM Stat ABS ABSABS ABS GDU ABS ABS Mean1 7.5 55.2 4.8 131.9 130.4 315.3 Mean2 8.5 55.04.4 135.4 134.4 302.7 Locs 1 119 4 14 14 25 Reps 2 174 8 18 18 33 Diff−1.0 0.2 0.4 −3.5 −4.0 12.6 Prob . 0.108 0.215 0.000 0.000 0.000 EARHTSTAGRN GIBROT HDSMT CM SCORE SCORE % NOT STLLPN STLPCN Stat ABS ABS ABSABS % NOT ABS % NOT ABS Mean1 126.2 5.4 6.5 97.8 85.0 80.0 Mean2 129.64.5 5.5 84.7 81.4 75.0 Locs 25 14 1 5 14 8 Reps 33 14 2 10 27 8 Diff−3.4 0.9 1.0 13.1 3.6 5.0 Prob 0.125 0.042 . 0.002 0.240 0.613 ERTLPNECBLSI LRTLPN BRTSTK HSKCVR % NOT SCORE % NOT % NOT SCORE Stat ABS ABSABS ABS ABS Mean1 76.2 6.3 70.0 99.2 5.0 Mean2 69.0 5.9 81.1 99.0 5.3Locs 3 8 9 4 7 Reps 4 8 12 5 7 Diff 7.2 0.4 −11.1 0.2 −0.3 Prob 0.8540.402 0.073 0.873 0.715

TABLE 5C HYBRID COMPARISON Variety #1: HYBRID CONTAINING PHEKN Variety#2: 33T56 YIELD GLFSPT YIELD NLFBLT SLFBLT MST BU/A 56# SCORE BU/A 56#SCORE SCORE PCT Stat ABS ABS % MN ABS ABS ABS Mean 1 199.6 5.6 102.9 4.94.5 20.5 Mean 2 206.3 5.1 107.1 6.1 5.0 21.4 Locs 91 7 91 8 1 91 Reps105 10 105 11 2 105 Diff −6.7 0.6 −4.2 −1.2 −0.5 0.9 Prob 0.005 0.2680.005 0.008 . 0.000 TSTWT STWWLT ANTROT EGRWTH FUSERS LB/BU SCORE SCORESCORE SCORE ESTCNT COUNT Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean 1 55.4 7.04.2 6.8 4.5 49.7 Mean 2 54.8 6.0 5.0 5.9 6.8 51.1 Locs 55 1 3 8 4 5 Reps62 1 6 8 6 7 Diff 0.6 1.0 −0.8 0.9 −2.3 −1.4 Prob 0.015 . 0.338 0.0060.032 0.722 GIBERS STKCNT DIPERS GDUSHD GDUSLK PLTHT SCORE COUNT SCOREGDU GDU CM Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean 1 5.0 56.1 4.8 131.1 129.4318.3 Mean 2 5.7 56.4 5.0 131.3 132.2 308.6 Locs 3 141 4 19 20 30 Reps 5208 8 24 25 40 Diff −0.7 −0.3 −0.3 −0.2 −2.8 9.7 Prob 0.529 0.020 0.7690.782 0.003 0.000 EARHT STAGRN GIBROT HDSMT STLLPN CM SCORE SCORE % NOT% NOT STLPCN % NOT Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean 1 127.8 5.4 6.597.8 85.0 80.0 Mean 2 134.5 5.2 6.5 89.1 84.2 75.0 Locs 30 14 1 5 14 8Reps 40 14 2 10 27 8 Diff −6.8 0.2 0.0 8.6 0.9 5.0 Prob 0.001 0.583 .0.050 0.744 0.632 ERTLPN ECBLSI LRTLPN BRTSTK HSKCVR % NOT SCORE % NOT %NOT SCORE Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean 1 76.2 5.9 75.5 99.2 5.1 Mean 261.2 6.7 92.7 96.7 6.0 Locs 3 15 11 4 8 Reps 4 16 14 5 8 Diff 15.0 −0.9−17.3 2.5 −0.9 Prob 0.189 0.022 0.015 0.158 0.041

TABLE 6 PHENOTYPIC DATA FROM HYBRIDS PRODUCED WITH PHEKN. PRM PRM YIELDYIELD YIELD YIELD YIELD PRM PRM SHD SHD bu/a bu/a bu/a bu/a bu/a Day DayDay Day 56# 56# 56# 56# 56# ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS % MN % MN MEANREPS MEAN REPS MEAN REPS YRS MEAN REPS Hybrid 1 107 20 180.7 12 1 95.412 Hybrid 2 103 50 103 51 186.2 38 2 103.3 38 Hybrid 3 99 23 99 23 189.518 1 98.2 18 Hybrid 4 98 23 97 23 192 19 1 98.1 19 Hybrid 5 101 23 10223 191.2 18 1 99 18 Hybrid 6 102 23 101 22 192.3 18 1 101.5 18 Hybrid 7102 23 101 23 210.1 17 1 110 17 Hybrid 8 100 569 102 573 181.8 293 397.1 293 Hybrid 9 102 97 105 97 193.1 42 1 97.6 42 Hybrid 10 97 212 102212 191.6 118 2 101.5 118 Hybrid 11 105 24 100 23 180.1 19 1 97.4 19Hybrid 12 100 23 99 23 186.9 18 1 98.1 18 Hybrid 13 99 50 99 48 186.6 361 97.1 36 Hybrid 14 99 48 101 48 188.5 36 1 97.9 36 Hybrid 15 99 23 9723 186.8 18 1 96 18 Hybrid 16 101 75 103 75 185.7 54 2 99.5 54 Hybrid 1798 24 108 23 191.6 18 1 103.6 18 Hybrid 18 102 23 106 24 191.5 19 1102.3 19 Hybrid 19 105 22 100 21 191.9 16 1 99.5 16 Hybrid 20 100 23 9723 196.3 19 1 100.6 19 Hybrid 21 100 23 101 23 198.2 18 1 103.4 18Hybrid 22 99 48 97 48 189.5 28 1 98 28 Hybrid 23 102 18 101 18 175.6 121 96.7 12 Hybrid 24 102 22 103 23 180.6 18 1 97.2 18 Hybrid 25 102 20101 20 179.3 17 1 98 17 Hybrid 26 103 23 98 23 198.5 19 1 101.4 19Hybrid 27 98 51 98 51 182.9 33 1 96.4 33 Hybrid 28 100 23 101 23 190.319 1 101.9 19 Hybrid 29 107 25 108 25 177 18 1 104.2 18 Hybrid 30 108 19106 20 192.9 12 1 100.7 12 Hybrid 31 101 48 99 50 190.2 35 1 98.9 35Hybrid 32 101 48 99 48 189.5 36 1 98.6 36 Hybrid 33 102 24 106 24 180.219 1 96.6 19 Hybrid 34 99 23 100 23 184.6 18 1 97 18 Hybrid 35 110 417109 234 195.3 213 3 103.2 213 Hybrid 36 109 95 197.8 43 1 104.4 43Hybrid 37 105 24 107 23 198.1 18 1 105 18 Hybrid 38 101 24 99 23 187.219 1 100.5 19 Hybrid 39 103 164 107 164 176.6 90 2 99.1 90 Hybrid 40 10819 112 20 192.7 13 1 99.3 13 Hybrid 41 109 19 106 20 200.8 13 1 104.3 13Hybrid 42 109 73 108 73 197.2 37 2 103.2 37 Hybrid 43 107 60 108 60178.8 31 1 98.3 31 Hybrid 44 108 21 197.6 12 1 103.1 12 Hybrid 45 105 19196.8 13 1 104.1 13 Hybrid 46 103 50 102 50 173.6 33 1 97.7 33 Hybrid 47109 19 187.5 13 1 96.7 13 Hybrid 48 104 59 108 59 173.5 31 1 100.5 31Hybrid 49 105 54 186.6 26 1 98.7 26 Hybrid 50 108 20 191.7 12 1 100.1 12Hybrid 51 100 23 98 23 186.3 5 1 101.8 5 Hybrid 52 107 20 180.7 12 195.4 12 Hybrid 53 103 50 103 51 186.2 38 2 103.3 38 Hybrid 54 99 23 9923 189.5 18 1 98.2 18 Hybrid 55 98 23 97 23 192 19 1 98.1 19 Hybrid 56101 23 102 23 191.2 18 1 99 18 Hybrid 57 102 23 101 22 192.3 18 1 101.518 Hybrid 58 102 23 101 23 210.1 17 1 110 17 Hybrid 59 100 569 102 573181.8 293 3 97.1 293 Hybrid 60 102 97 105 97 193.1 42 1 97.6 42 Hybrid61 97 212 102 212 191.6 118 2 101.5 118 Hybrid 62 105 24 100 23 180.1 191 97.4 19 Hybrid 63 100 23 99 23 186.9 18 1 98.1 18 Hybrid 64 99 50 9948 186.6 36 1 97.1 36 YLD YLD STL STL MST MST MST MST MST MST PCN PCNpct pct pct pct Value Value % NOT % NOT ABS ABS % MN % MN ABS ABS % MN %MN MEAN REPS MEAN REPS MEAN REPS MEAN REPS Hybrid 1 19.9 12 99.9 12 95.512 74 2 Hybrid 2 21.2 38 102.3 38 100.9 39 109 4 Hybrid 3 20.7 18 95.318 102.9 18 Hybrid 4 21.1 19 93.6 19 104.6 19 Hybrid 5 21.6 18 98.7 18100.3 18 Hybrid 6 20.7 18 99.1 18 102.4 18 121 1 Hybrid 7 22.3 18 101.818 107.9 17 Hybrid 8 20.5 297 95.3 297 101.8 298 107 19 Hybrid 9 21 4292.8 42 104.8 42 108 3 Hybrid 10 21 119 97.6 119 103.9 118 111 4 Hybrid11 21.2 19 101.9 19 95.6 19 109 1 Hybrid 12 19.9 18 95.2 18 102.9 18 1091 Hybrid 13 20.5 36 95.4 36 101.7 36 114 1 Hybrid 14 20.2 36 94.1 36103.8 36 102 1 Hybrid 15 21.2 18 95.1 18 100.9 18 Hybrid 16 20.8 55 98.355 101.7 55 88 4 Hybrid 17 19.5 19 93.8 19 109.2 18 109 1 Hybrid 18 20.819 99.9 19 102.4 19 121 1 Hybrid 19 22.6 16 106.4 16 93 16 121 1 Hybrid20 22.6 19 100.2 19 100.4 19 Hybrid 21 21.9 18 100.5 18 102.8 18 Hybrid22 20.2 28 94.5 28 103.5 28 114 1 Hybrid 23 19.8 12 94.9 12 101.9 12 1061 Hybrid 24 20.6 18 99 18 98.2 18 109 1 Hybrid 25 19.9 17 92.3 17 105.717 95 3 Hybrid 26 23.4 19 103.5 19 97.9 19 Hybrid 27 21.1 33 96.1 33100.2 33 Hybrid 28 20.1 19 96.7 19 105.1 19 121 1 Hybrid 29 18.6 18 98.118 106.2 18 112 2 Hybrid 30 19.8 12 102.3 12 98.4 12 106 3 Hybrid 3121.1 35 98.5 35 100.4 35 127 1 Hybrid 32 21.2 36 98.4 36 100.2 36 114 1Hybrid 33 20.5 19 98.3 19 98.3 19 121 1 Hybrid 34 19.5 18 93.5 18 103.518 121 1 Hybrid 35 21.3 214 102 214 101.3 214 112 35 Hybrid 36 21.7 43100.2 43 104.3 43 98 10 Hybrid 37 21.8 18 103.8 18 101.2 18 109 1 Hybrid38 21 19 100.7 19 99.8 19 109 1 Hybrid 39 18 92 91.6 92 107.7 93 110 11Hybrid 40 19.7 13 100.9 13 98.4 13 109 3 Hybrid 41 20.1 13 103.5 13100.8 13 111 3 Hybrid 42 20.1 38 101.7 38 101.4 37 115 11 Hybrid 43 19.231 99.2 31 99.1 31 104 3 Hybrid 44 20.8 13 101.6 13 102 12 117 6 Hybrid45 18.8 13 94.2 13 109.9 13 120 2 Hybrid 46 19.4 33 96.9 33 100.8 33 994 Hybrid 47 20.5 13 99.4 13 97.2 13 70 2 Hybrid 48 17.8 31 91.5 31 109.131 118 4 Hybrid 49 18.9 27 95 27 103.6 26 105 11 Hybrid 50 19.2 12 96.912 103.2 12 102 3 Hybrid 51 21.1 5 100.1 5 101.7 5 Hybrid 52 19.9 1299.9 12 95.5 12 74 2 Hybrid 53 21.2 38 102.3 38 100.9 39 109 4 Hybrid 5420.7 18 95.3 18 102.9 18 Hybrid 55 21.1 19 93.6 19 104.6 19 Hybrid 5621.6 18 98.7 18 100.3 18 Hybrid 57 20.7 18 99.1 18 102.4 18 121 1 Hybrid58 22.3 18 101.8 18 107.9 17 Hybrid 59 20.5 297 95.3 297 101.8 298 10719 Hybrid 60 21 42 92.8 42 104.8 42 108 3 Hybrid 61 21 119 97.6 119103.9 118 111 4 Hybrid 62 21.2 19 101.9 19 95.6 19 109 1 Hybrid 63 19.918 95.2 18 102.9 18 109 1 Hybrid 64 20.5 36 95.4 36 101.7 36 114 1 STLSTL ERT ERT LRT LRT TST TST LPN LPN LPN LPN LPN LPN WT WT % NOT % NOT %NOT % NOT % NOT % NOT lb/bu lb/bu % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN %MN MEAN REPS MEAN REPS MEAN REPS MEAN REPS Hybrid 1 89 6 105 3 103.5 9Hybrid 2 109 8 130 1 104 5 102.2 22 Hybrid 3 31 1 125 3 114 3 100.3 11Hybrid 4 81 1 82 3 102 3 102.3 12 Hybrid 5 157 1 112 3 76 3 99.5 11Hybrid 6 144 2 130 1 119 2 100.7 10 Hybrid 7 78 1 139 3 75 3 99.5 11Hybrid 8 114 55 108 9 108 47 102.6 173 Hybrid 9 130 10 116 5 107 9 104.437 Hybrid 10 105 17 107 19 110 15 101.8 63 Hybrid 11 140 2 145 1 85 2101.5 11 Hybrid 12 121 2 101 1 107 2 101.5 10 Hybrid 13 99 3 104 4 106 6101.2 20 Hybrid 14 134 3 110 3 106 6 101 20 Hybrid 15 97 1 88 3 97 3102.7 11 Hybrid 16 90 9 107 4 109 9 100.2 31 Hybrid 17 72 2 145 1 118 2101.3 11 Hybrid 18 71 2 116 1 118 2 100.5 11 Hybrid 19 134 2 145 1 118 2100.1 9 Hybrid 20 152 1 121 3 110 3 102.1 12 Hybrid 21 149 1 130 3 100 3101.2 11 Hybrid 22 140 2 106 3 104 5 102.2 20 Hybrid 23 89 1 122 2 102.29 Hybrid 24 125 2 58 1 114 1 101.5 11 Hybrid 25 78 1 108 5 99.1 12Hybrid 26 169 1 80 3 89 3 100.9 12 Hybrid 27 108 2 104 3 112 4 101.7 19Hybrid 28 126 2 145 1 113 2 100.2 11 Hybrid 29 131 4 107 4 100.6 14Hybrid 30 86 7 106 1 99.9 8 Hybrid 31 134 3 107 4 109 6 100.1 20 Hybrid32 122 3 104 4 107 6 99.8 20 Hybrid 33 129 2 130 1 118 2 100.2 11 Hybrid34 116 2 130 1 112 2 101.3 10 Hybrid 35 114 52 97 8 102 42 99 166 Hybrid36 102 16 18 1 98 15 99 38 Hybrid 37 134 2 101 1 104 2 101 11 Hybrid 38119 2 116 1 106 2 100.7 11 Hybrid 39 95 25 109 5 110 13 101.2 69 Hybrid40 112 7 92 1 103.2 9 Hybrid 41 119 7 106 1 100.3 9 Hybrid 42 118 17 1087 101 29 Hybrid 43 99 12 102 2 97 4 103.1 24 Hybrid 44 133 3 100 4 100.88 Hybrid 45 86 6 108 3 102 9 Hybrid 46 94 2 106 6 101.1 20 Hybrid 47 1176 102 3 101.5 9 Hybrid 48 89 12 107 2 104 3 102.7 25 Hybrid 49 97 12 1035 100 19 Hybrid 50 95 6 105 1 102.2 7 Hybrid 51 125 2 100.2 5 Hybrid 5289 6 105 3 103.5 9 Hybrid 53 109 8 130 1 104 5 102.2 22 Hybrid 54 31 1125 3 114 3 100.3 11 Hybrid 55 81 1 82 3 102 3 102.3 12 Hybrid 56 157 1112 3 76 3 99.5 11 Hybrid 57 144 2 130 1 119 2 100.7 10 Hybrid 58 78 1139 3 75 3 99.5 11 Hybrid 59 114 55 108 9 108 47 102.6 173 Hybrid 60 13010 116 5 107 9 104.4 37 Hybrid 61 105 17 107 19 110 15 101.8 63 Hybrid62 140 2 145 1 85 2 101.5 11 Hybrid 63 121 2 101 1 107 2 101.5 10 Hybrid64 99 3 104 4 106 6 101.2 20 STK STK EAR EAR BRT BRT CNT CNT PLTHT PLTHTHT HT STK STK count count in in in in % NOT % NOT % MN % MN % MN % MN %MN % MN % MN % MN MEAN REPS MEAN REPS MEAN REPS MEAN REPS Hybrid 1 10115 99 7 109 7 Hybrid 2 100 47 102 19 98 19 95 1 Hybrid 3 101 23 100 9100 9 Hybrid 4 100 23 104 9 107 9 100 1 Hybrid 5 101 23 101 9 102 9 99 1Hybrid 6 101 21 103 11 100 11 Hybrid 7 100 23 106 9 113 9 Hybrid 8 101523 100 97 101 97 102 11 Hybrid 9 101 74 100 13 101 13 100 1 Hybrid 10100 229 100 41 100 41 99 27 Hybrid 11 99 22 100 11 101 11 Hybrid 12 9922 97 11 94 11 Hybrid 13 101 47 101 14 98 14 Hybrid 14 101 47 100 14 10114 Hybrid 15 101 23 99 9 105 9 101 1 Hybrid 16 101 72 98 22 97 22 116 1Hybrid 17 100 22 103 11 102 11 Hybrid 18 101 22 104 11 104 11 Hybrid 1999 20 98 11 97 11 Hybrid 20 101 23 99 9 98 9 Hybrid 21 101 23 103 9 1079 99 1 Hybrid 22 100 37 100 10 108 10 Hybrid 23 95 16 99 3 100 3 Hybrid24 100 21 100 10 98 10 Hybrid 25 100 18 100 5 99 5 Hybrid 26 100 23 1009 105 9 102 2 Hybrid 27 100 49 100 8 98 8 Hybrid 28 100 22 97 11 101 11Hybrid 29 101 24 101 5 100 5 103 6 Hybrid 30 101 16 100 6 111 6 Hybrid31 100 47 99 14 101 14 Hybrid 32 100 47 99 14 95 14 Hybrid 33 98 22 10111 104 11 Hybrid 34 100 22 99 11 100 11 Hybrid 35 101 395 101 78 99 77104 15 Hybrid 36 100 73 100 17 103 17 102 3 Hybrid 37 99 22 98 11 101 11Hybrid 38 101 22 101 11 102 11 Hybrid 39 100 156 100 29 101 29 103 11Hybrid 40 101 16 105 7 112 7 Hybrid 41 101 16 100 7 102 7 Hybrid 42 10061 100 18 105 18 Hybrid 43 100 55 100 10 106 10 100 3 Hybrid 44 101 17102 8 106 8 Hybrid 45 101 15 99 8 96 8 Hybrid 46 100 48 98 9 95 9 100 2Hybrid 47 101 15 103 8 114 8 Hybrid 48 99 54 99 11 102 11 105 7 Hybrid49 100 42 101 12 94 12 Hybrid 50 98 16 98 7 98 7 Hybrid 51 101 8 100 595 5 Hybrid 52 101 15 99 7 109 7 Hybrid 53 100 47 102 19 98 19 95 1Hybrid 54 101 23 100 9 100 9 Hybrid 55 100 23 104 9 107 9 100 1 Hybrid56 101 23 101 9 102 9 99 1 Hybrid 57 101 21 103 11 100 11 Hybrid 58 10023 106 9 113 9 Hybrid 59 101 523 100 97 101 97 102 11 Hybrid 60 101 74100 13 101 13 100 1 Hybrid 61 100 229 100 41 100 41 99 27 Hybrid 62 9922 100 11 101 11 Hybrid 63 99 22 97 11 94 11 Hybrid 64 101 47 101 14 9814 BOR BOR BRLP BRLP GLF GLF BMN BMN BRLPNE BRLPNE NL NL SPT SPT % NOT %NOT % NOT % NOT % NOT % NOT score score % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MNABS ABS MEAN REPS MEAN REPS MEAN REPS MEAN REPS Hybrid 1 4 1 Hybrid 2 53 Hybrid 3 4 1 Hybrid 4 4 1 Hybrid 5 4 1 Hybrid 6 4 1 Hybrid 7 6 1Hybrid 8 134 37 5 23 Hybrid 9 5 4 Hybrid 10 95 18 155 24 115 18 4 5Hybrid 11 5 1 Hybrid 12 4 1 Hybrid 13 81 6 5 2 Hybrid 14 105 6 6 2Hybrid 15 4 1 Hybrid 16 119 6 5 4 Hybrid 17 3 1 Hybrid 18 4 1 Hybrid 194 1 Hybrid 20 5 1 Hybrid 21 6 1 Hybrid 22 97 6 5 2 Hybrid 23 3 1 Hybrid24 4 1 Hybrid 25 3 1 Hybrid 26 5 1 Hybrid 27 142 6 5 1 Hybrid 28 4 1Hybrid 29 4 1 Hybrid 30 4 1 Hybrid 31 105 6 5 2 Hybrid 32 114 6 6 2Hybrid 33 4 1 Hybrid 34 3 1 Hybrid 35 97 24 5 20 Hybrid 36 4 4 Hybrid 374 1 Hybrid 38 4 1 Hybrid 39 112 18 3 6 Hybrid 40 5 1 Hybrid 41 4 1Hybrid 42 110 6 4 3 Hybrid 43 118 6 4 2 Hybrid 44 6 1 Hybrid 45 3 1Hybrid 46 122 6 3 1 Hybrid 47 3 1 Hybrid 48 114 6 4 2 Hybrid 49 103 6 43 Hybrid 50 3 1 Hybrid 51 Hybrid 52 4 1 Hybrid 53 5 3 Hybrid 54 4 1Hybrid 55 4 1 Hybrid 56 4 1 Hybrid 57 4 1 Hybrid 58 6 1 Hybrid 59 134 375 23 Hybrid 60 5 4 Hybrid 61 95 18 155 24 115 18 4 5 Hybrid 62 5 1Hybrid 63 4 1 Hybrid 64 81 6 5 2 STA STA HSK HSK ECB ECB GRN GRN CVR CVRLSI LSI score score score score score score ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS MEANREPS MEAN REPS MEAN REPS Hybrid 1 5 4 Hybrid 2 5 9 Hybrid 3 5 2 Hybrid 45 2 Hybrid 5 5 2 Hybrid 6 6 7 Hybrid 7 5 2 Hybrid 8 5 61 6 18 8 1 Hybrid9 4 14 4 5 Hybrid 10 5 23 6 12 6 1 Hybrid 11 5 7 Hybrid 12 5 7 Hybrid 135 9 Hybrid 14 5 9 Hybrid 15 4 2 Hybrid 16 4 11 Hybrid 17 5 7 Hybrid 18 57 Hybrid 19 6 7 Hybrid 20 6 2 Hybrid 21 5 2 Hybrid 22 5 6 Hybrid 23 6 1Hybrid 24 6 6 Hybrid 25 5 4 Hybrid 26 6 2 Hybrid 27 5 3 5 1 Hybrid 28 67 Hybrid 29 5 1 Hybrid 30 5 6 Hybrid 31 9 Hybrid 32 9 Hybrid 33 5 7Hybrid 34 5 7 Hybrid 35 5 56 5 17 6 2 Hybrid 36 4 18 6 6 Hybrid 37 6 7Hybrid 38 5 7 Hybrid 39 4 16 6 1 Hybrid 40 5 7 Hybrid 41 4 7 Hybrid 42 514 Hybrid 43 4 6 Hybrid 44 5 5 Hybrid 45 4 8 Hybrid 46 3 4 Hybrid 47 4 8Hybrid 48 4 7 Hybrid 49 4 8 Hybrid 50 3 5 Hybrid 51 3 1 Hybrid 52 5 4Hybrid 53 5 9 Hybrid 54 5 2 Hybrid 55 5 2 Hybrid 56 5 2 Hybrid 57 6 7Hybrid 58 5 2 Hybrid 59 5 61 6 18 8 1 Hybrid 60 4 14 4 5 Hybrid 61 5 236 12 6 1 Hybrid 62 5 7 Hybrid 63 5 7 Hybrid 64 5 9

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in thespecification are indicative of the level of those skilled in the art towhich this invention pertains. All such publications, patents and patentapplications are incorporated by reference herein for the purpose citedto the same extent as if each was specifically and individuallyindicated to be incorporated by reference herein.

The foregoing invention has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding. Asis readily apparent to one skilled in the art, the foregoing are onlysome of the methods and compositions that illustrate the embodiments ofthe foregoing invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art that variations, changes, modifications and alterations maybe applied to the compositions and/or methods described herein withoutdeparting from the true spirit, concept and scope of the invention.

1. Maize inbred variety PHEKN, representative seed of said varietyhaving been deposited under ATCC accession number PTA-10201.
 2. A seedof the maize inbred variety of claim
 1. 3. A plant of the maize inbredvariety of claim
 1. 4. A plant part of the maize inbred variety ofclaim
 1. 5. A maize plant having all the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of the plant of claim
 3. 6. An F1 hybrid maize seedproduced by crossing the plant of claim 3 with a different maize plant.7. A maize plant produced by growing the F1 hybrid maize seed of claim6.
 8. A maize plant part produced by growing the F1 hybrid maize seed ofclaim
 6. 9. A method for developing a maize plant comprising crossingthe plant of claim 3 with a plant part of a different maize plant.
 10. Amethod for developing a maize plant comprising crossing the plant ofclaim 7 with a different maize plant.
 11. A process of introducing alocus conversion into maize inbred variety PHEKN comprising: (a)crossing a plant of maize inbred variety PHEKN, representative seed ofwhich has been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-10201, with aplant of another maize variety that comprise a desired trait to produceF1 progeny plants, wherein the desired trait is selected from the groupconsisting of male sterility, site-specific recombination, increasedtransformability, abiotic stress tolerance, herbicide resistance, insectresistance, disease resistance, altered phosphorus, alteredantioxidants, altered fatty acids, altered essential amino acids andaltered carbohydrates; (b) selecting F1 progeny plants that have thedesired trait to produce selected F1 progeny plants; (c) crossing theselected progeny plants with the PHEKN plants to produce backcrossprogeny plants; (d) selecting for backcross progeny plants that have thedesired trait and the alleles of inbred variety PHEKN at the SSR locilisted in Table 2 to produce selected backcross progeny plants; and (e)repeating steps (c) and (d) to produce backcross progeny plants thatcomprise the desired trait and comprise at least 95% of the alleles ofinbred variety PHEKN at the SSR loci listed in Table
 2. 12. A plantproduced by the process of claim 11, wherein the plant comprises thelocus conversion and at least 95% of the alleles of inbred variety PHEKNat the SSR loci listed in Table
 2. 13. A plant part of the plant ofclaim
 12. 14. An Fl hybrid maize seed produced by crossing the plant ofclaim 12 with a different maize plant.
 15. A maize plant produced bygrowing the F1 hybrid maize seed of claim
 14. 16. The plant of claim 12,wherein said locus conversion comprises herbicide resistance at a firstlocus and insect resistance at a second locus.
 17. The plant of claim12, wherein said locus conversion comprises herbicide resistance at afirst locus, insect resistance at a second locus, and disease or insectresistance at a third locus.
 18. The plant of claim 12, wherein saidlocus conversion is selected from the group consisting of herbicideresistance, insect resistance, and disease resistance.